INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Each track on the CD METRONOME is a single tempo approximately 3min long.

To work at one specific tempo for longer than that, set your CD or MP3 player to repeat
one track (a function common to almost all players).

To increase your speed on your selected practice material, set the CD METRONOME at
a speed slower than your "comfort level" (see How To Develop Speed With A
Metronome) and let the CD play track after track. Every 3min you will automatically hear
a slightly faster tempo giving you a great workout!

When practicing with the CD METRONOME, I recommend that you set the volume equal
to or just slightly less than it would be if a live drummer were there in the room with you.
It is important that players of un-amplified instruments (horns, acoustic piano, etc)
practice playing at volumes that match those they would play with a live band. This can
be achieved with:

1. A "boom box" capable of such levels

2. A home stereo
3. A portable CD or MP3 player run through a guitar amp or PA
4. A portable CD or MP3 player with headphones - when using this option the
inexpensive headphones that sit on top of your ear (as opposed to ear buds or the
higher quality type that completely cover your ear) work best. By adjusting the way they
sit on your ear you can achieve a perfect balance between the drums and the sound
from your own instrument.
 HOW TO DEVELOP SPEED WITH A METRONOME

Most of you will be using this tool to work at being able to play something faster. To this
end I will make some points and suggestions.

Point #1 - When you are in the process of mastering a technically difficult passage or
pattern you are really training your neuromuscular system (fingers, tongue, lips, feet,
etc.) to execute a series of unfamiliar commands.

Point #2 - Your neuromuscular system is just like a tape recorder. What goes in comes
out. If you practice with mistakes and tension it will remember mistakes and tension. If
you practice with perfection and relaxation it will remember perfection and relaxation.

Point #3 - Your muscles are capable of much more speed if they are in a relaxed state
than if they are in a state of tension.

Given these points, when you are practicing for speed, it is important that you make sure
you are at a tempo at which you can play the passage with no mistakes and be
completely relaxed. I call this your "comfort level". In this programming phase of the
process, your neuromuscular system is "recording" how to do it right. As you start to
increase your speed you need to pay attention to:

1) Whether any tension is building in your muscles. If you start to feel like you are
"muscling" your way through it, SLOW DOWN!

2) How many mistakes you are making. More than 5% mistakes is bad programming.
50% mistakes is a waste of time because every time you do it right you negate it by
doing it wrong. If you are making too many mistakes, SLOW DOWN!

THE PROCESS OF GAINING SPEED IS NOT DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO HOW

MUCH TIME YOU PUT IN!

Gains in speed come less often in the beginning because you are in the programming
phase. As the programming become more solid you will notice something "click" in your
muscles and gains will come much more often.

Another important point - just because you were able to play something at a certain
speed yesterday doesn't mean you should be able to play it that fast today. Many factors
(fatigue, stress, etc.) affect our body's ability to execute muscular commands. Just pay
attention to what is going on TODAY and adjust accordingly.

Patience and trust are your best friends!

Paul