Re: metronome, necessary for a beginner?
Necessary, no, but HIGHLY recommended. It'll make an enormous difference in your playing. Plus, as you are trying to learn, when you come across anything too fast for you to play, slow it down to the point where you can execute it comfortably, then go one click faster, do it again. Soon, you'll nail it at tempo. Maybe most importantly, if you ever record and have to play to a click track, metronome experience will be invaluable. It's a lot harder to play to a click than you might think! I have been playing for 17 years, and (at the advice of a friend who is an unbelievably good guitar player) have recently busted out the 'nome again, and it's making a huge difference in my playing. GET ONE and (more importantly) USE IT!!!