metronome

[frank1]

Hi all,
New member (silver now, gold later).  I am teaching myself and confused about metronome.  If I set it on 4/4 time I know I hit key at every beat quarter notes.  What do I do when I come to a half note?  God, I hate the metronome but know it is probably necessary to learn better ??  Thank you..
Frank

[frank_48]

Hey Frank,

if the time is 4/4 and there is a half note at the 1st beat then you hold it for 2 beats, if the half note is on the 2nd beat then you hold is for 2 beats aswell.

for example if there is a half note on the 1st beat and there is 2 quarter notes after you would count 1 2 3 4 etc, you hold the half note for 1 & 2 and play the other quater notes on 3 & 4.

hope that helps.

[frank1]

Hi Frank 48 and thanks for reply.  I don't think I asked the question correctly.  I mean while the metronome is playing 4/4 time and you come to a half note the metronome is not going to play the half note, so how do you work with the metronome.  I know some say it is a great teaching aid.  What say U?  Thanks.

[quantum]

You don't adjust the metronome when you come to the half note, you adjust how long you hold the note.  The metronome is kept at the same rate.  

In the half note case, you wait two ticks.  

The metronome does not play notes for you, it keeps an evenly spaced grid of time so you can position notes within such grid.  Think of plotting points on graph paper.  You do not adjust the lines of the graph paper, rather you adjust where you plot the points on the graph.

[frank1]

Thanks quantam.  Am interested in your personal opinion on metronomes.  Do you think they should be used in self-taught players?  Thank you.

[pianisten1989]

Everybody should use a metronome. Self-thought players tend to play things over rubato, and sooner or later totally change tempo.
And "normal" students should ofc also use it...

[quantum]

Thanks quantam.  Am interested in your personal opinion on metronomes.  Do you think they should be used in self-taught players?  Thank you.

I think problems with the use of metronomes stems form the misuse of metronomes.  I've always insisted a metronome is a tool for measuring intervals in time and not a tool to depend on in order to keep time.  Some teachers (including some of my own) think that a metronome should be used constantly to keep rhythm in check.  I strongly disagree with such views.  Such abuse of the metronome leads to a dependency on the device to the degree that a person is not able to keep time on their own. 

In my view, the aim is to develop an internal metronome - a consistent and reliable source of steady pulse.  One which is ever so much more suited to the heart beat and breath of music, as opposed to an indifferent mechanical clock. 

For the few occasions where a metronome is useful for sorting out rhythmic knots, it should be used sparingly and only as much as needed.  One the problem has been sorted out, the student should shut off the mechanical ticker and continue to practice using his/her internal metronome.