Tempo

Subject: Tempo
From: MandolinPaul
Date: 19 Dec 99 - 01:48 AM

I've just started using the metronome that I was given last Christmas. I'm not sure what the "proper speed" should be for songs (I know there isn't really such a thing, but I need some kind of standard). I've worked up to the following tempos on the songs I know:

Reels - Quarter note = 152 Jigs - Dotted quarter note = 118 Hornpipes - Quarter note = 132

Thanks,
Paul.

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Dec 99 - 01:49 PM

I have just had a look at some of my midi files and the settings I seem to use are:

Reel: 200 Jig : 190 Hornpipe: 150

As you have noted, there is no standard but these settings seem to be acceptable to my ears also players and sessions vary a lot in speed.

Jon

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: Paul S
Date: 19 Dec 99 - 01:55 PM

Youch! My poor hands; my poor wife. I have a lot of practicing to do.

Paul

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Dec 99 - 02:30 PM

Paul,

A couple more comments:

Don't try to get youself up to any speed instantly but work on gradually. I think that its far more important that a tune is expressed properly than being forced out at a pace that the player is clearly struggling with.

I you do go to a session and you want to play a tune. Don't be afraid to start it at a pace that you feel comfortable with even if that may seem a lot slower than the preceding sets. I think you'll find that most players will happily slow down for a couple of sets of tunes to help someone else along (but are unlikely to want to do that all night).

Jon

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: harpgirl
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 12:15 PM

...let's talk some more about tempo. One of the things I do to quickly learn a song is to get out my Seiko digital metronome, model DM-20, and check the tempo and the beat of the song I am learning. On the back I noticed the following:

Largho 40-60
Larghetto 60-66
Adagio 66-76
Andante 76-108
Moderato 108-120
Allegro 120-168
Presto 166-200
Prestissimo 200-208

I realize this is not news to most of our musically inclined catters but I thought it would be useful in discussing tempo and beat for songs. I also noticed that some of our beginners on hearme have difficulty keeping a regular tempo when singing or playing. This might help. And knowing what kinds of tunes use what kinds of tempos might be interesting to note here.
What is a good example of prestissimo, for instance? harp

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: Mbo
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 12:23 PM

Harpgirl, A Musical Joke by Mozart is prestissimo, often sometimes played prestississimo, about 215 clicks.

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: hesperis
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 12:23 PM

Prestissimo I don't know, but I seem to always be writing in Andante. Probably because I don't have a car, and I walk everywhere. The rhythm gets into my system. (FYI: Andante is defined as 'a walking pace'.)
I've written a couple of good pieces slower than that, but faster speeds seem to be a problem for me right now.

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: harpgirl
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 12:24 PM

...knew you'd know, you little genius!

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: harpgirl
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 12:28 PM

...andante isn't fast enough for aerobic exercise!...I wonder if it helps to run on a treadmill while writing rock and roll? How do people get into the faster rhythms when they write music, anyway? harp

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: Mbo
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 12:29 PM

Also, on the other end of the spectrum, don't forget Grave. That goes about 20-40 clicks. The Funeral March from the Chopin piano sonata (No.2 I think) is played Grave. Veeeeeeeeery slooooooow.

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: harpgirl
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 12:34 PM

...good one...now it's time for my allegro swimming...

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: Mbo
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 12:39 PM

When I do faster rhythms, it usually (like other things) just comes to me. Sometimes the rhythm or imagery the lyrics conjure up aid in creative faster tunes.

--M

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 01:59 PM

Keep in mind that there has been a tendency throughout the 20th Century to play traditional music faster than ever before. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean that the average musician doesn't need to imitate the professional in order to be true to the music.

Of course, some pieces should be played fast, but not as many as we think.

What you should do is set a pace so that people are having fun. At a session, this means that everyone is getting to play, and not just the stars with the most expensive instruments. Also, the notes should be defined, not just slurred over at top speed. One should, for example, be able to tell the difference between major and minor.

At a dance, the music must be fast enough for the dancers, but not so fast that only experienced dancers aged 20-40 are on the floor.

Also, a session should not go on at the same tempo all night. That gets old for the other guests who are not playing.

Subject: RE: Tempo
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 02:07 PM

And of course everyone cheats on Beethoven's markings because they are too fast.
yours, Peter T.