I like to tell my students (half kidding), “You have one job; hit the drum at the rightntime.” There’s a lot more to it than that but our main role is timekeeping. So how do wendevelop good time? There are several tools and techniques at our disposal but likenanything else, it takes practice.nnThe first word of advise from any music teacher will be, practice with a metronome.nWait, a metro-what?! A metronome is a devise that keeps a steady beat. It’s sometimesncalled a click track. You can adjust the tempo (speed) in bpm (Beats Per Minute). Mynfavorite app is Pro Metronome. There’s a free, limited function version and a paid fullnapp. It’s totally worth it so don’t be cheap, just buy it. For loud instruments (like drums)nyou’ll need to plug in a pair of headphones.nnA metronome may be overwhelming for some beginners. In that case, it might be betternto revisit it at a later time. Important things to remember when playing to a click are:n• Listen. The metronome won’t follow you so you must listen and follow it.n• Relax. Don’t fight it. Your time will improve when you’re relaxed.n• Subdivide. Subdivisions of the beat should always be running in the back ofnyour mind.n• Be flexible. Don’t try to play with perfect time. The key is making constantnmicro-adjustments.nnPerforming:nPlaying to tracks: some bands use pre-recorded tracks, requiring you to play to a clicknon stage. You’ll soon discover not everyone has perfect time. Even if you’re solid, you‘llnstill get push/pull from the other band members. If you feel the band pulling away, don’tngo with them. Stay with the track! They’ll have to make adjustments to get back in syncnwith you. Worst case scenario, they’ll drop out while you continue playing with thentrack. No one in the audience will be aware there was any problem.nnTempo monitors: a great app for monitoring your time is Auto BPM. It’s not anmetronome but more like a speedometer. It only displays the tempo you’re playing. Input tempo markings on my set lists but it helps to hum the chorus before counting offneach song. You’ll be in the ballpark and can make adjustments after you start playing.nIf the tempo has to be spot-on from the beginning, I’ll have my metronome at the readynfor accurate count-offs.nnNo safety net: I don’t often perform without technological aids but when I do, here arensome tips that help:n• Hum the chorus. Get the tempo in your head before counting off each song.nEven if it’s not exact, it’ll be close. Besides, I think every performance shouldnhave a life of its own. If the band’s grooving, don’t mess with it!n• Feel the beat. Each tempo has its own feel. If it’s laid back, try to maintain thatnlaid back feeling in the chorus. If it’s faster, don’t loose your edge in the verses.nYou can change the intensity using dynamics and different sound colors (closednhi hat, open hi hat, ride or bell).n• Listen from the audience. Don’t get locked in your head. Try to listen as if you’renin the audience. It’s easy to focus too much on what we’re doing and not thenoverall sound of the band. Listening from the audience will bring you back to thenfeel and intent of the song.n• Dance in your seat. Manu Katche got this bit of advice from Peter Gabriel. I gotnsimilar advice from my teachers, Jerry McKenzie and Gary Stuck. The way Jerrynput it was, “The more limbs you have keeping time, the more solid your time willnbe.“ Gary would bob his head and say, “Get your whole body involved in thentimekeeping!”nnI hope this helps in your pursuit of steady time. Don’t try to be perfect, they havenmachines that can do that. Embrace your human feel! Most importantly… relax, havenfun and enjoy the moment you’re creating with your band and audience.