Help: Metronomes and rhythym

Subject: Metronomes and rhythym
From: DonMeixner
Date: 16 Nov 01 - 11:30 PM

This may seem a silly question but how does one use a metronome? What is the purpose of the numbers on the weighted staff? I have one but how can I improve my sense of rhythym using it? I assume it will help me with the beat.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Gypsy
Date: 16 Nov 01 - 11:35 PM

When i use a metronome, (and where didja find a cool one that you wind up? Mine is electronic) i count out loud with it. You can set them for the speed suggested for that particular tune. Gives you an idea as how fast to play. For me, who doesn't sight read all that well, keeps me "honest" when learning a new piece of music. The numbers on the staff should relate to the speed of the music, 120, 140, etc. That would be listed on the sheet music above the key signature.

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: DonMeixner
Date: 16 Nov 01 - 11:39 PM

Hi Gypsy,

There is a Seth Thomas for sale on EBay right now. Just type in Metronome.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Kaleea
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 01:15 AM

Don, I don't know what instrument you are practicing, but I suggest you find a competent music educator who will assist you in learning to use a metronome, and play the instrument. I have an old one which winds up, and dings on the first beat of each measure. When using a metronome, one must actively listen to the metronome, and play according to the tempo (along with the beat) of the metronome. If the meter (time signature) is, for example, 4/4, the I would set my metronome to ding on the first beat of the 4/4 meter, and I would count as follows: (ding)ONE two three four, (ding)One two three four. The numbers up & down the center of the metronome represent how many beats per minute. For example, typical march time for a marching band is, in 4/4 meter, 120 beats per minute. One would set the metronome to "click" 120 times per minute, and one would count with each "click" of the metronome, (click) one, (click) two, (Click)three, (click) four, (click) one, (click) two, (click) three, (click) four, and so on. It is difficult to explain music in printed words, as music is an aural, intangible thing. In other words, one must hear, and "feel" the beat to truly understand, therefore, that is why I suggest a competent educator. Kaleea

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 03:53 AM

Try this thread from all of two weeks ago...

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: DonMeixner
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 08:17 AM

Guest,

How did I miss this thread? Thanks.

Don

Kaleea,

Thanks, a good teacher is always a wise choice.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Peter T.
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 08:50 AM

Different question: does anyone know anything about drum machines, as opposed to metronomes? Are there small ones you can carry around, work like metronomes? I have vaguely heard about them, but assumed they were like an electronic keyboard. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: 53
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 10:44 AM

play with the tape and that is the best time keeper you can have. BOB

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: DonMeixner
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 05:13 PM

Peter,

A keyboard will have similar stuff to a drum machine but may be limited. We tried a drum machine in the band and hated it. Can't turn around to Mr. Korg and say,

"Slow down you jack ass."

But then they don't vary the speed at all on you either.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Justa Picker
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 05:18 PM

Don't know about small drum machines, but here are some small metronomes.

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Peter T.
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 05:32 PM

I was thinking about metronomes that were more like drum machines -- you know, had more than just that interminable tick tock -- like something that would do 4/4 time, 3/4, etc. yours, Peter

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Justa Picker
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 05:46 PM

Peter,
I just spent some time searching various music sites, and I can't find anything that will fit in your pocket - battery powered, that will produce pseudo drum machine rhythms.

There are lots of "regular" drum machines on the market in various price ranges, but they are stand alone units, and require some sort of amplification. For what they cost, you'd be better off to get a smallish keyboard with a drum machine, sequencer and speakers built into it, (sort of like Rick's gizmo in his studio.)

There are also software music programs like "Band In A Box" that will generate adjustable rhythms/click tracks, etc. through your PC's speakers. Stuff to think about anyway.

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Justa Picker
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 06:48 PM

Peter,
See if anything here burps your turtle.

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Peter T.
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 07:22 PM

thanks for the effort, J.P., much appreciated. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 04:15 AM

a piece with metronome minim=54 with 2/2 time, is it same as crotchet=108 with 4/4 time

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 06:53 AM

it is the same speed ,but the emphasis is different.

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Eve Goldberg
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 08:58 AM

I have an electronic Korg metronome that has a lot of handy features. In addition to the ticking sound, it has a light. You can adjust the volume so if you want you can turn the sound off all together and just use the light. It also has a distinct "tick" and colour for the first beat of the measure, so you get something like TICK, tock, tock, tock, TICK, tock, tock, tock (or RED, green, green, green, green, RED, green, green, green green).

You can set it to any number from 1 - 9, and it will reproduce that many beats per measure. It also has a "tap in" function where you can tap in the speed you are looking for and it tells you how many beats per minute that is, and then reproduces that speed for you.

I use it all the time!

And to answer a little bit of the initial question, a metronome can be REALLY helpful when learning new material. I often will work on a few measures at a time, if I'm working on a fingerstyle piece. I will work without the metronome until I've got the sequence of notes I want happening, and then I will turn on the metronome at a very slow speed (60 bpm or less, usually), and practice those few measures over and over in a loop with the metronome, until I can play it smoothly. Then I move the speed up a few bpm at a time (maybe I'll try 62 or 63), and do that until it feels smooth and comfortable. Then I'll move up a little more. The trick is to start slow enough so that you can play the passage in rhythm, and then slowly increase the speed-- rather than starting at a speed that you can't really master.

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Weasel
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 09:05 AM

Eve - that is excellent advice and is exactly how a metronome should be used. (There are other uses of course)

I once saw Dave Shannon (Therapy) play "Grandfather's Clock" as a duet with a metronome. At the point where he stopped playing and pointed to the still clicking metronome as one would to introduce a fellow musician's break, it was hard to believe that this was in fact a mechanical device and not a living co-performer.

Cheers

Subject: RE: Help: Metronomes and rhythym
From: Bernard
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 01:04 PM

Thread creep... Dave Shannon is now in a trio with Sam Bracken (original Therapy member) and Sam's wife, Elaine. They call themselves... Alternative Therapy!!