pavane, I think the metronome is excellent for practice, which is what Bonnie was talking about. I agree that when you're playing, the music should flow and not be bound by a clock. But not everyone can feel the pulse equally well, and a metronome can help to train that ability. So I wouldn't throw it out. Tapping your foot isn't very helpful if your foot tends to follow your hands!

And Bonnie, any good music store should have a mechanical metronome, even in the Great White North. (I even found one here in little old Hilo, though it's now residing with my ex in Colorado.) Electronic ones give me the willies.

Aloha,
Mark