Hey & welcome to GT!

Originally Posted by: web13
One thing I'm having a lot of trouble with is being able to play in sync with a metronome.

Any tips on exercises I can do to get better at keeping a beat?

The best place to start learning on GT is to work through Fundamentals 1 & 2. So, if aren't, or haven't, please work through those courses. They will set on you on the right path.

https://www.guitartricks.com/beginner.php

Having said that, what you are describing is a common beginner level problem.
Mostly this is just a matter of repetitious practice. The more hours logged on your guitar, the more playing becomes automated.

You need to practice to the point at which you've automated the metronome's job. You have to train your internal, subconscious clock to keep track of the beat so you don't have to consciously think about it. The only way this happens is hours & days spent practicing until everything you do is automatic. You don't have to stop to think about every finger motion on each single note or chord.

When you first start doing something, like playing with the metronome you are focused on multiple things: the sound of the metronome, strumming hand, fingering position, the next chord, where the next syncopation is, etc.

You need to make those little mechanical things you do to play the guitar all second nature. So, that all you have to think about with your conscious mind is the bigger picture things like, "Oh here's the next section of the song", or "Here comes the chorus, gotta play a little louder for the big dynamics!".

If you have to stop to think about where the beat is or which fingers to use to play the next chord you won't ever be able to play smoothly in time.

So, try to focus on one thing at a time. Start with just the strumming pattern. Turn off the metronome & play only one chord & try to get that sycopated rhythm strumming pattern with it. Count very slowly, but evenly, so you know when those strums happen. Make sure you have the strumming pattern down & where the syncopations happen.

Only after you have that much down, then, turn on the metronome at a slow tempo!Gradually speed up the tempo until you have it where you need it for the song. Then try to work in the next chord.

Breaking down the process into managable chunks is what you are after. Make the mechanical strumming process second nature, then you don't have to focus on it. You can focus on the metronome while playing it.

I hope that makes sense! Please ask more if necessary. Best of success!