Grr, learning to hit a note on the down-beat is kicking my ass. I need to hit notes on 1, 2+, 3, 4 & 4+ 
The metronome just makes my head hurt. After a while i just stop hearing half the beats it makes. I can count along with it, but as soon as i try to tap on the desk with it i drift right back onto the main beat. i could probably do it if i counted 1-8 instead of the "and"s but then i wouldn't really be learning it. I've gotten away w/o having to learn to count long enough, and this one bass line i'm going to have to count if i want to do it right. i've managed to learn to read basic sheet music, but so far this is kicking my butt.