“Spot On”

There are musical settings where the most effective way to phrase the groove is “right down the middle” or spot on with metronomic time. In particular, some current styles of dance music are characterized by lots of sequencing, and the entire foundation is mechanical rhythmic accuracy.

Time spent in the woodshed with a metronome will pay off here!

Here’s an example of a groove phrased pretty much spot on with the click.

Audio Example 1 + Click

When playing this sort of feel, the click tends to disappear into the groove. The drummer and bassist should focus on placing every note with metronomic accuracy and consistency.

EXERCISE 1

There’s no substitute for focused practice with a metronome for developing this. Record yourself playing a basic eighth note groove like this...

...and start out by initially setting the metronome to 50 bpm and letting the click land on beats 1 and 3 of each measure. It might take a few passes to start locking with the click.

After you get comfortable with that, set the metronome to 100 bpm (quarter notes) and play the same groove.

Finally, set the metronome to 200 bpm (eighth notes) and play the groove.

Listen back and see if everything is lining up with the click, or if there are areas where the bass line is flamming. You’ll benefit from this the most if you are your own worst critic. Be nitpicky and microscopic when listening back.

If you find listening to the playback of the recorded groove a painful experience, don’t get discouraged! This will get easier the more time you spend practicing with a click and refining your internal sense of time.