Metronome

[John Bertotti]

All right the only metronome I have is built into an auto-strobe I have. It just beeps. How do I set this to do different timings. I can figure out 2/4 and 4/4 but how would you set it for 6/8 or some of the crazier timings. I think one piece I am trying is 7 something. I here the beeps on simple 4/4 pieces and just get confused. I have a hard time counting most of the other than march or common timings. 3/4 I can get by with a bit of patience but everything else is still tough at best. Any help is appreciated. I have read some previous posts but would like any other comments please. Thanks John
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif yea it's kind of like this when I try working on it.

[John Flynn]

I use a metronome pretty much the same way regardless of the time signature. All the metronome does is count beats. What those beats mean is up to me. So if the signature is 4/4, the beats mean 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4. If it is 3/4, the beats become 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. Signatures like 5/4 and 6/8 are just challenging and take practice, there is no way around it.

Regardless of the signature, the setting on the metronome is either whatever is indicated on top of the sheet music, such as "eighth note = 120" or whatever, or if there is no indication, what I hear the tempo to be on a recording or, lacking that, what sounds good to me for that tune.

[John Bertotti]

Thanks jflynnstl
I guess I just need more work on counting the other timings. Fortunately I think practica musica has some timing lessons. I was thinking there may be a way for the metronome to be set that would help me count. All the beeping just runs together once I start getting lost then it just cascades out of control after that. I am pushing timing for myself because so many of these songs I have sheet music for I haven't or don't remember ever hearing. I can learn a song so much quicker if I hear it first. Sight reading without ever hearing a song is certainly forcing the timing issue. Thanks John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Bob A]

Some of the old mechanical metronomes would ring a bell at set intervals, to mark the beginning (or whatever) of a measure. I understand there's an electronic one, caller Dr. Beat, that is programmable to do fancy stuff, walk the dog, etc. I've never seen or used one, but for the same reasons that John is now looking, I've been tempted to look into the subject. Imagine pre-programming all the rhythms in a complex piece, so you can follow the sound and keep your eye on the music. This I (think) I would find useful.

But I've been wrong before.

[John Bertotti]

I wonder if some of the music software wouldn't be capable of this, preprogramming the rhythm. Or at least be capable of a plugin that would allow this. I don't want it to be a crutch but the pieces that change timing or throw in a bunch of faster notes messes me up. I think this idea of Bob A's would be a great learning tool. Thanks John

[Rroyd]

Consider a programmable electronic drummer. You could probably find used ones in the $100 price range. They are far easier to play with than a metronome because of the emphasis you can put on the different beats with volume and sounds. (Bass drum on 1 and 3, snare on 2 and 4, for example)
Most have a lot of pre-programmed patterns that will let you play most of what you mentioned, and you can program in time signatures like 7/4 or 9/8. Or you can get software that will also do that. I've been told that there is shareware available, but I'm not familiar with it. Or a far cheaper, but more time consuming way, is to turn on the metronome and a recorder, and you count aloud with the metronome clicks. 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or whatever you need. You then just play along with the recording of your counting, and you won't have to deal with trying to keep track of whether that was the second click or the third click, which is the problem most people have with metronomes.

[Jeroen]

Also consider setting the metronome only on the ones. This way you will develop your personal swing, drive, breath, groove, whatever and still keep the right tempo. I believe a metronome is not a tool to pin down the flow of your eighth or sixteenth notes, but rather almost the opposite: set the basic beat to teach you to travel more or less freely around it and still keep sense of the basic tempo.

[Ted Eschliman]

Here's a word: "subdivision."
Any metronome capable of subdividing into eighths or triplets will double or triple the clicks. For example, the Boss TU-80 (http://rolandus.com/products/details.asp?catid=3&subcatid=12&prodid=TU-80)
will do this.
Street priced under $27, this is a pedagogical dream come true.
Oh, and it includes a chromatic tuner, as well...


http://rolandus.com/images/products/pedals_tuners/tu80_md.gif

[John Flynn]

I have the new Sabine Metrotune, which is also programmable to emphasize selected beats to "subdivide" measures. However, I tried the feature and didn't like it. I like to use a metronome to keep a steady beat, but I know how to count! (At least I can if I have my shoes off!) I find that feature kind of irritating. Just MHO.

[pickinpox]

This might very well be what you are looking for.

Weird Metronome (http://www.pinkandaint.com/weirdmet.shtml)

[John Bertotti]

pickinpox, that looks cool but I run a mac so I don't operate in windows. Everyone else thanks I actually think I like the drum machine idea and I think I have a basic one in my computer somewhere already. Good Idea. Thanks all John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif In the end though I think I really need to learn to count better. Perhaps I should play barefoot.