An essential training tool for any musician, the metronome is useful for recording and rehearsing pieces as well as honing your timing. These handy little bits of kit simply tick or make a noise in time to a precisely set tempo and measure, basically counting out the beat for you.
Buying a Metronome
Whether your instrument of choice is a guitar, bass, piano, trumpet, or even your own voice, a metronome can aid your development as a musician; your ability to play with other musicians; and ensures that you're able to play tight to the beat, even when you don't have the luxury of a drummer. You might think that it doesn't really matter what kind of metronome you get, but there are a couple of differences between the uses and functions of mechanical and electronic digital metronomes which are worth knowing about before picking one out.
Analogue Mechanical Metronomes
Analogue or mechanical metronomes are the oldest form of metronome and have been used for centuries. The pendulum-style design has also remained unchanged for centuries, which does mean that mechanical metronomes generally offer less options and functions than digital metronomes, but it also means that they're incredibly reliable and are easy to adjust and repair. Basically, if you take care of a mechanical metronome, it will last decades. The mechanism works in the same way as an old clock, where a weight is suspended on a pendulum that swings from side to side and ticks in time to the selected BPM (beats-per-minutes). Mechanical metronomes also have a certain classic elegance to them, which simply looks good sitting on top of your piano or desk.
Digital Metronomes
Compared to mechanical metronomes, digital metronomes offer a few more options, so you're often able to change the sound from a click to a different sound and you also have control over the volume. Sometimes a 'tap-tempo' function is included, where the tempo can be set by 'tapping' a button. Digital metronomes are also more flexible in terms of time signatures and are often so compact they can fit in your back pocket.
Metronome Apps
You can also download metronome apps that are compatible with various devices, and some apps are even free. Metronome apps are often really easy to use but they tend to offer less options than a digital metronome. You're also relying on software, which can come with software issues. Most musicians find it easier to work with an external metronome so they can still use their phone for other tasks.
Piano or Guitar Metronomes
There's no specific metronome that's better for guitarists or pianists. What you might need to pay attention to us the volume. Any standard metronome, digital or mechanical can be heard perfectly over the volume of an acoustic piano or guitar. But if you play the electric guitar, then it makes sense to find a metronome capable of a little extra volume, or even better: a metronome with a headphone output.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metronomes
What is a metronome?
The dictionary definition of metronome is "a device that produces a regular repeated sound like a clock, to help musicians play music at a particular speed." So by 'metronome', we mean a mechanical or digital device that repeatedly ticks or makes another sound in time to a specified beat.
How does a metronome help?
A metronome helps musicians learn to play tight to the tempo. This skill is essential and needs to be continuously trained, and if you train it often, you'll need your metronome less.
How do you use a metronome?
The way you use a metronome depends on the musician. You can use it to help rehearse a specific piece of music, or to practise specific rhythmic exercises. A metronome is also incredibly useful when making recordings, since it makes sure that every instrument is following the same tempo. Most musicians will use the metronome built into recording software when recording.
How much does a metronome cost?
You can easily pick up a simple digital metronome for just a tenner. More expensive metronomes will feature a louder speaker and more functions like a headphone output, a tap-tempo so that the BPM (beats-per-minutes) can be set manually by literally 'tapping' a button at the right tempo, and some even come with a built-in tuner.
How do metronome apps work?
How a metronome app works, of course, depends on which app you download. Luckily, there are better apps coming out that include a set of instructions in the app itself, but in most cases you're downloading the app onto a phone or tablet where you can then select the correct tempo, set it to play, and the app will tick or make a sound in time to the specified beat. Since the app is on your phone or tablet, you can also plug in a set of headphones to hear the beat loud and clear.
What does a metronome measure?
A metronome doesn't measure anything, what it does do, is tick or make a noise in time to a tempo that can be adjusted. It's a tool that indicates tempo so that a musician can practise playing perfectly in time to a beat. If a metronome features a 'tap-tempo' function, then the BPM (beats-per-minute) can be set manually by literally 'tapping' a button at the right tempo.
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