ARTIST FEATURE: We are joined this week by fingerstyle guitar phenom Thomas Leeb. Thomas is faculty at California Institute of the Arts and a wildly followed musician, so we couldn’t be more happy that he agreed to answer a few questions for us:

1) Why is rhythm important?

Because it provides a framework for understanding what is being communicated musically. Taking this language analogy a little further: stuttering or pausing randomly you speak will make speech harder to follow and the message might get lost. It’s the same when you rush/lag/stutter music on an instrument.

2) How often do you practice with a metronome?

Whenever I have new work finished or go out on tour with a new program, I like to polish things with a final metronome check. It’s always surprising to find I’m not always as solid as I think I am!

I like to polish things with a final metronome check. It’s always surprising to find I’m not always as solid as I think I am!

3) Why is it important to practice with a metronome?

Because it prepares you for the day when you actually need to record or perform with one. If you’ve never done this, the metronome will feel like an enemy. If you’ve practiced with a metronome, it can become a dependable friend.

4) Can you name one thing that you like about the metronome on metronomeonline.com?

It’s sleek and it’s neat to be able to keep track of things.

VIDEO: Check out a viral cover of Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb that Thomas did a while back: