What’s the Best Metronome for Me?
For any musician, a metronome is a really useful tool to help improve their skills. Since there are so many different kinds of metronomes to choose from, which one would work best for you? This Buyer’s Guide has been put together to help you make the right choice. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!
What is it? | Which One? | Mechanical | Digital | Extras | How? | Why? | More
1. What is a Metronome?
A metronome is commonly used to keep tempo (speed). It usually does this by making a clicking sound per beat, and a bell-like sound to indicate the beginning of each new bar. It’s an essential tool when learning to play a musical instrument, and besides providing help while practising playing at certain speeds, a metronome can also be used to study specific or more complex rhythms. The word metronome stems directly from two ancient Greek words: ‘metro’ meaning ‘measure’, and nomos, meaning ‘law’.
For further information, see Question 7.
2. What Kind of Metronome Do I Need?
In short:
- If you just need a simple metronome to keep tempo, then there are loads of different budget digital metronomes to choose from that all offer the same basic functions.
- If you need more options and durability from your metronome, then there are more expensive models that can offer this.
- If you want a simple yet classic ‘ticking’ metronome that also looks pretty good in your living room, then a mechanical metronome is probably what you’re looking for. A good rule of thumb for picking one out is, the bigger your budget, the more robust and good looking the metronome gets!
Tip: a metronome fitted with a headphone output or that ‘clicks’ at a really high volume is really useful if you play a particularly loud instrument – that way, you can actually hear it.
Always read the product description, specifications, and maybe some reviews of a metronome in detail to get a good idea of what you’re buying.
If you want to know more about different kinds of metronomes, read further.
Digital Metronomes: £20 or Less
Digital Metronomes with Built-In Tuner
Digital Metronomes with Headphone Output
All Digital Metronomes
Mechanical Metronomes: £40 or Less
All Mechanical Metronomes
3. What’s a Mechanical Metronome?
How does a traditional mechanical metronome actually work? Just like a clock, these metronomes work using a clockwork mechanism driven by a weighted pendulum. By adjusting the counterweight (a block that can be manually slid up and down the length of the pendulum), the tempo is set.
An advantage of using a mechanical metronome is that the pendulum itself actually gives you a nice and clear visual cue. Also, this kind of metronome doesn’t come with over-fussy or complicated options, making it easy to use, and doesn’t need any power or batteries. Musicians who study and enjoy playing classical music often opt for this kind of metronome so that they can simply set it up and focus on their sheet music. One of the disadvantages of using a mechanical metronome is that they’re pretty sensitive and need to be placed on a completely level and flat surface for the mechanism to work correctly. They also need to be wound up regularly.
4. What’s a Digital Metronome?
A digital metronome functions using a quartz timer and is therefore much more compact than a traditional mechanical metronome (see Question 2). Digital metronomes also tend to offer a wide range of different functions, including a visual tempo cue via a small light, or a digital pendulum shown on a built-in display screen. Another advantage of using a digital metronome is that the tempo can be set with accurate precision, and different time signatures (or beats per bar) can be selected, like 3/4. A disadvantage of using a digital metronome is that the batteries will need changing every now and then.
5. What Other Special Functions Can a Digital Metronome Come With?
The metronome first emerged way back in 1812, and for a long time, the concept has remained pretty much the same. Some metronome developers do offer some extra features though, so some models can come with a built-in tuner, giving you two gadgets in one. Some digital metronomes have a headphone output so you can practise in silence, and you can also get little clip-on metronomes that can be neatly clipped onto a belt.
A few more ‘special’ metronomes have emerged within the last few years, like ultra-small in-ear metronomes, that cut out any distracting noise. There are also metronomes available that can be synchronised with each other, so that a group of musicians can play at exactly the same tempo. Another innovative metronome design has the same kind of housing as a wristwatch and vibrates in time rather than clicks. This kind of metronome is really useful for loud drummers.
Digital Metronomes with Built-In Tuner
Digital Metronomes with Headphone Output
Clip-On Metronomes
All Digital Metronomes
6. How Do I Use a Metronome?
First, you set the tempo you want to play to. If you’re playing using sheet music, then the tempo of the piece is usually included on the first page. If you don’t know the specific tempo, then simply try a few different tempos out to see what works. If you’re playing a well-known song, you should be able to find out the tempo of the original recording via a quick internet search. Otherwise, just try to find a tempo that matches the original as closely as possible. The time signature (beats per bar) also needs to be set. So, is the piece in 4/4 or ¾, for example? Usually, the metronome will make a bell-like sound (or a different sound) at the start of every bar. Some mechanical metronomes do not offer a time signature adjustment option.
The tempo range of most metronomes is around 40 to 208 beats per minute, or BPM. In addition to the different tempos, a mechanical metronome will often indicate the traditional tempos. ‘Allegro’ for example means a tempo of 126 to 138 BPM. With a digital metronome, you can usually just set or type in a specific BPM or use a ‘tap-tempo’ button that’s manually ‘tapped’ along to the beat to set the correct tempo.
7. Why Should I Even Use a Metronome?
While they’re not necessary, a metronome can really help turn you into a more consistent and accurate musician. As such, many music teachers encourage their students to practice using a metronome. Using a metronome, you might notice that different tempos can have a big effect on a particular song or piece of music. Training to keep a tight tempo is also essential if you want to play with other musicians or make recordings. Even musicians who naturally have a good feel for tempo use a metronome to further improve their skills. Metronomes aren’t just used by musicians either. Dancers and runners use metronomes to keep time, as well as golfers trying to hone the perfect swing.
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Reading Music: Rhythm, Tempo & Measure
