Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Selecting the Metronome
• Part 2 of 3: Setting the Metronome
• Part 3 of 3: Practicing with the Metronome
• Tips
• What do you need

A metronome is a musical device that allows musicians to play with a more consistent rhythm. The metronome produces a rhythmic, even sound that enables the musician (or musicians) to play at the correct beat. Using the metronome in your daily practice will help you learn a piece and improve your playing technique. Knowing how to play the metronome is important for any musician.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Selecting the Metronome

1. 1 Explore the different types of metronomes. You can find a wide variety of metronomes on sale: pocket digital, clockwork mechanical, in the form of an application for your phone, or even a drum machine, if you are ready to go for such a expense. Depending on your needs, some types of metronomes will suit you better than others.
   • As a rule, mechanical metronomes do well in all their basic tasks for all the instruments that can be found in an orchestra. Digital metronomes provide a wide range of advanced features.
2. 2 Determine what additional features you need. Consider the instrument you are playing. There is a wide range of various metronomes on sale. Depending on which instrument you play and your personal preference, you can determine which type of metronome is right for you. For example, if you're a drummer, you may need a headphone (line-out) jack or volume control.
   • If you play a stringed instrument that needs tuning, it is best to purchase a metronome with a built-in tuner.
   • If you plan to take the metronome with you, it is better to choose a small digital metronome instead of a large mechanical one.
   • If you need a visual display of the meter to better adhere to it, use a mechanical metronome. Observing the swinging pendulum as you play will allow you to follow your meter more closely as you play. However, many electronic models have a blinking LED for this purpose.
   • Make sure the metronome you are purchasing has the ability to set the rhythm time signature and the beat per minute (BPM).
3. 3 Try the metronome before buying. During practice, you will have to hear the sound of the metronome for a long time, and very often its frequency will be over 100 beats per minute (depending on the speed of the piece). Therefore, it is a good idea to pre-test the metronome for a sound that suits your hearing. Some digital metronomes make a high-pitched squeaky sound, while others tick like a loud clock.
   • Try playing with this metronome to make sure that the sound is helpful, not distracting, or even unnerving.
   • Several free metronome apps for smartphones can be found on the App Store and Google Play.

Part 2 of 3: Setting the Metronome

1. 1 Set the pace. Most metronomes use a parameter such as beats per minute (BPM) to set the desired speed. Some phone metronome apps allow you to set the desired tempo simply by tapping the screen at that tempo.
   • On most quartz metronomes, the BPM is indicated along the edge of the arc of the dial. The different BPM ranges correspond to Italian words that are traditionally used for tempo, such as Allegro or Presto.
   • In mechanical models, you just need to move the metal weight along the rod to the desired tempo mark that matches the song being played.
2. 2 Set the time signature. This is possible with many digital metronomes, while most of their mechanical counterparts do not. A measure is made up of two numbers written as a fraction. The top number displays the number of beats per measure. The lower number indicates the duration of each of these beats.
   • For example, a 4/4 time signature implies that there will be four quarter beats in one measure, and two quarter beats in 2/4.
   • Some compositions use more than one time signature. When performing such pieces with the metronome, you will have to play it in parts, each time changing the time signature in the metronome as the piece requires.
3. 3 Set the volume level. Adjusting the volume level is an important setting for any digital metronome. You should find a volume level that will not interrupt the music, but will not disappear behind it. Most swinging mechanical metronomes have no volume control, but visual observation of the swing of the pendulum allows musicians to play correctly, even if they cannot hear the sound over the music. Some electronic metronomes also have LED indicators that turn on and off according to beats.

Part 3 of 3: Practicing with the Metronome

1. 1 Learn the musical score before playing with the metronome. First, you need to memorize the piece without a clear reference to an accurate meter. Only after you have mastered the musical text well, and your hands have memorized it, you can start practicing in a certain meter.
2. 2 Start at a low speed. As they say, you drive quieter - the further you will be. First, set the metronome speed between 60 and 80 BPM.
   • Listen to a couple of beats of the metronome before playing. You can tap the rhythm with your foot or look at the metronome to keep in sync with it.
3. 3 Focus on problem areas. Music is never equally difficult from start to finish. Some parts of the composition will always be more difficult than other parts of it. Use the metronome at a low speed, playing one note at a time, to get used to this kind of work.
   • You can also play one note at a time in problem areas of the song to work through that area. Start with the first note of the piece. Play the note again and then add the next one. Start over again and add a third, and so on.Keep adding until you get to the end of the piece.
4. 4 Speed ​​up the metronome. When you feel more comfortable and confident during slow play, you can start to gradually increase your speed. It is best to increase the speed a little at a time. Set it to 5 BPM more than before. Play the piece again until you feel comfortable playing at that faster tempo. Then increase the speed again. Continue to gradually increase the speed until you reach 100% of the original tempo of the piece.
5. 5 Check yourself. After you've learned a part of the song, test how you play it with the metronome. This way you can find flaws even in those parts of it that you were supposedly sure of. Work on these parts to improve your musical skills.

Tips

• Hear the beat of the metronome even when you are not playing. This will allow you to develop a clear, even sense of the meter, which will come in handy when playing sight music.
• Some people find the sound of the metronome very annoying, so be sure to turn it off when you're done with your activity. This will keep you on good terms with your family or roommates.

What do you need

• Metronome
• Musical instrument
• Sheet music or tablature
• Batteries (for digital metronomes)