learn to love DisciPline
“A metronome is so important,” says Tommy Emmanuel. “When I was younger I practised with a metronome to reel myself in, because my enthusiasm level was way too high. Every time I played something it just slowly sped up because I was so crazy about it. If it’s to be good and respected, it needs to be in a groove – this wild animal needs to be in a controlled environment! So I learned to enjoy the discipline of roping myself in and saying, ‘I’m going to play this right in the pocket’. So when I go on stage I can fly my kite but I’m still in charge of where it is. “When you first start doing it, it’s like this ball and chain, but if you do it enough, it’s like wings. It sets you free and suddenly you feel so comfortable with that click and then your ideas flow and you’re not worried about where the time is.”