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This week a question came up on the Forum about the metronome setting for Kathy’s Song by Simon & Garfunkel, although the lesson we have is based on Eva Cassidy’s version. I don’t always mention, or even make note of the speed in many lessons, and the Guitar Pro file is not necessarily accurate as I don’t usually bother with that.

So rather than just give the answer I decided to demonstrate the technique I use. It started with just trying to synchronize my metronome with the recording, then I went into a couple other songs, and even used a John Renbourn song as an example to show that most recordings do not stay true to real ‘metronome’ time.

Along the way I pulled up Eva’s and Paul Simon’s takes on Kathy’s Song, a little gem from Seatrain called Out Where The Hills, and a flashy John Renbourn piece called My Dear Boy, which included me trying to play it with the metronome, which probably should have been rehearsed but who has the Time?

Before I started playing the ‘Fun With Metronomes’ game, I started with a little improve that turned into a distant version of a bossa nova I recorded about 25 years ago on my album Yesterday’s News, Black Orpheus. There was a stab at Billy Joel’s Piano Man as well, since this week a FOTW went up with Kevin working on that tune. We also had a lesson from Max on the Red Hot Chili Peppers Around The World.

Meanwhile, here at TG Central I am in the throes of replacing equipment that someone decided they needed more than I did. It put a little dent in the lesson production schedule but hopefully things will be back on track next week.

I hope everybody can enjoy the videos below, particularly Seatrain, a band I always really liked.

Neil