How to Use a Metronome
A metronome is a uesful tool that can be used in a variety of ways. At its basic level, it is a timekeeper that makes a sound at a regular interval to help you play music at a steady pace. All metronomes have basic buttons such as power, start metronome, and volume. Some metronomes also have an output jack for connecting to an external amplifier or other input such as a recorder, and a headphone jack.
Basic Functions
Tempo in Beats Per Minute (bpm)
All metronomes use a setting called tempo which is based on a scale of beats per minute (abbreviated "bpm"). You can think of it as the speed at which you might tap your foot while listening to music. Setting the metronome tempo makes it produce a sound (or silently light an LED - light emitting diode) a strict number of times per minute. For example, setting the tempo to sixty beats per minute makes it click at exactly the same speed as the second hand of a clock.
The tempo setting is the most basic function of a metronome. It is set to the beats per minute you wish to practice music. If you play in sync with the sound (or light) produced by the metronome, you will ensure that you are practicing steadily, not accelerating or slowing down - a habit that is necessary, especially when one plays music with others. You can think of this function of the metronome as your personal drummer. Without the aid of a metronome, one may not realize that the tempo may be fluctuating. Most of us have a tendency to slow down during harder parts, and speed up for easier parts, but this is not normal part of playing music, although changes in tempo may be indicated explicitly in the music notation, or very subtle changes may at times be used for expressive reasons to emphasize certain parts.
Beats
All except the very basic of metronomes have a feature that sets the number of beats grouped in a unit usually called a measure or bar. The most common grouping of beats is four, often called "common time". Good metronomes have a large number of different settings for the beat (such 0-9), as well as special ones that divide the beat into common rhythmic patterns such as eighth notes, sixteenth notes, triplets, and more.
Tap
Many metronomes have a "tap" or "tap tempo" button. You can use this to tap the tempo using the button at the speed you want the metronome to play (or light). To use it simply tap the button a few times at the desired speed. (This is an alternative way to set the tempo, rather than using the tempo button.) This button is very useful to set or determine the tempo of an audio recording, live musician, or your own internal sense of the correct tempo. As you tap it the metronome will usually display the average speed at which you tap. It's important to tap a few times very mechanically to get the speed you want. If you tap at a varying speed the metronome will attempt to average the speed, often the incorrect one because the taps are not steady.
Uses
- Set a practice tempo. This is the most common use, where one sets a tempo to practice a piece at a steady tempo.
- Determine the tempo based on a tempo mark. Many pieces of music indicated an exact tempo or range of tempos in beats per minute (bpm). The tempo mark may be at the beginning of the music or at other points where it changes. For example, above the first measure of a composition it may indicate that a quarter notes = c. 120, as in the following picture. ("M.M." stands for metronome marking, "c." means circa, and "120" indicates the tempo in beats per minute.) Setting the metronome to 120 bpm and starting it will inform you of the speed at which the piece is supposed to be played, according to the composer, arranger, or editor who placed this marking at the beginning of the music.
- Building speed. A very common practice is to set a metronome tempo at a reasonable speed to practice all or a portion of a piece that cannot be played up to speed. Then, progressively set the tempo faster and faster, repeating the piece or section each time. This technique can be used in one practice session or spread out over many.
- Keeping a log of progress. Using the previous procedure, one may note daily (or some other interval) the maximum tempo at which a piece can be played accurately. Over time, one will usually see that progress is being made, with the tempo getting faster and faster.
- Practicing scales, arpeggios, and other figures at a particular speed and rhythm. There are a wide varieties of ways that metronomes can be used in this way. One really helpful one is to practice scales using an uneven rhythmic pair, such as a dotted eighth note followed by a sixteenth. Good metronomes have a feature where you can set the beat to repeat this rhythm at any tempo. Practicing scales using this method is purported to increase general speed.
- Determining the tempo of an audio recording or live performance. Use the tap tempo button to tap at the same speed as the recording or performance. The metronome will calculate the tempo based on your regular tapping.
There are probably many more ways to use a metronome, but these are the most common. Many people dread practicing with a metronome, but the best musicians use them religiously. They are one of the most effective tools that musicians have.