How important is metronome?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by viola chick on January 4, 2010 at 1:01pm

I like a metronome to figure out how fast or slow a new piece of music is meant to be played - when that piece gives you a specific tempo. But I'll turn it on just long enough to get the beat in my head. Since many works do not include that information, I'll play it as it feels/sounds right, or I'll listen to a recording of it if I'm using it for audition or something important. I rarely play with a metronome on (except for maybe when trying to figure out a difficult passage), though it was helpful when first learning.

I was instructed at a young age that taping the foot can can get you in trouble, as one has a tendency to speed up or slow down the foot during difficult or boring passages. I was trained that if I needed to tap a foot that I tap both feet, one after the other - as it is much better at keeping a steady beat. This doesn't work so well with piano I imagine!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hans Klein on January 5, 2010 at 1:21pm

I think most people would be surprised at how inaccurate their internal "metronome" really is over time. A lot of us think we're keeping accurate time but a quick comparison to the metronome will often show how wrong we are. For anybody looking to record music with rock or popular artists it is absolutely essential to become accustomed to playing along to a beat. Most studios have artists lay down their tracks in conjunction with a "click track" that ensures everybody is in sync.

In short, I think it's important to get used to and to be able to play along to a metronome. Do I use one frequently? Honestly, no I don't... they are slightly annoying! For those who really struggle with the ability to synchronize their brains with an artificial ticking noise and translate it in to music, I hear some people really have success with a type of metronome that actually physically pulses against their body. Can't remember the brand, but it looked pretty nifty.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diane Allen on January 5, 2010 at 8:49pm

The Body Beat is the metronome that gives you a pulse to feel! It's amazing!Here's a link to a blog post I wrote!

http://myviolinvideos.com/blogbodybeat.html

Groove in music is just as important as pitch, tone, dynamics.... Practicing with a metronome is 1 way to learn to feel the beat.

Diane
www.myviolinvideos.com



Hans Klein said:

I think most people would be surprised at how inaccurate their internal "metronome" really is over time. A lot of us think we're keeping accurate time but a quick comparison to the metronome will often show how wrong we are. For anybody looking to record music with rock or popular artists it is absolutely essential to become accustomed to playing along to a beat. Most studios have artists lay down their tracks in conjunction with a "click track" that ensures everybody is in sync.

In short, I think it's important to get used to and to be able to play along to a metronome. Do I use one frequently? Honestly, no I don't... they are slightly annoying! For those who really struggle with the ability to synchronize their brains with an artificial ticking noise and translate it in to music, I hear some people really have success with a type of metronome that actually physically pulses against their body. Can't remember the brand, but it looked pretty nifty.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diana Caldwell on January 23, 2010 at 10:26am

I love/hate my metronome. It doesn't lie. As Hans stated, it can be surprising how uneven my timing can become without my realizing it. I also play with a group and it can be amusing at times when we all think that it's the other two that are off the rhythm. As a group playing live, many mistakes are easily forgiven--but an unsteady pulse isn't one of them.
Dust off your metronome and at least check yourself with it.

▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This