Tick tock Tick tock

[Barbara]

Did any of you read the article in the newest Folk Harp Journal on the VALUE of metronomes? I know this is a discussion we have had in Kindred Harps rehearsals, but did the article change anyone's minds? Of course, I loved it, as it supported what I think....that practicing following an external beat helps us with ensemble work, helps hear how the note values fall on and between the beats and how they relate to each other, and keeps us honest with our tempos. I am always too kind to myself when the hard parts come along and slow down tempos. A run through with a metronome sure points that out! I agree that it doesn't allow for artisitc intrepretations and flucuations, but that can come later. As a practice, teaching, and diagnostic tool I think it has great value.

What do the rest of you think?

[Leigh Griffith]

For those of us who do not have metronomes at home, you can use this link if you practice in the same room as your computer. You can change the volume if you need it louder. http://www.metronomeonline.com/

[Leigh Griffith]

I read the article and feel that maybe I need to try again. I was so bothered by it the last time, because I saw how slow I was actually playing compared to the tempo marked on the music that I was ready to give up. Instead of giving up, I turned the blasted thing off. Guess I need to give it another go!

[Barbara]

Ther is nothing wrong with setting the metronome to a slower setting to accomodate where you are in order to get the benefit of staying with the beat, keeping tempos even, checking rhythms. In fact there is great benefit in terms of personal satisfaction, and as a starting point, to play something well at a slow tempo. Then you can gradually increase it as you challenge yourself to get faster tempos. There is no value, as far as I am concerned, in trying to play faster than you are ready to when learning a new piece or working on tricky rhythms. Some of you may have heard me say this before (ya think?) that one can't be expected to play fast what one cannot yet play slowly!

[Leigh Griffith]

(Leigh hangs her head and digs her toes in the sand, saying, "Yes, Ma'am".) ;-)

[Barbara]

I didn't mean this to be a scolding (Barbara says, after admonishing herself for once again being sucha mucha)--I meant it to be supportive and to reinforce your opinion that it is frustrating to try to keep up with a fast tempo when you're not there yet. Which is where I am all the time....not there! Oh, darn.....I wanted you to know that I understand your pain amd offer a solution!

[Leigh Griffith]

I know that, I was just giving you a hard time. You caught the wink, didn't you? I also must admit that I find repetitive sounds irritating anytime. I have even been known to slap Fred's hand if he begins to tap out a beat with his fingers over and over!

[Barbara]

I had an old wooden one that started out quite perky, but would swing a ittle further to the left with each stroke (a political statement, perhaps) until it finally stayed there. Made for an interesting rhythm! It wasn't too useful!

[Barbara]

Oh, no!

[Leigh Griffith]

One can always tap their toes inside their shoes, but then, I wear sandals all the time, so....

[Barbara]

I tend to tap my teeth together--quietly I hope!

I just wind them up and set them on the table beside me! Ha, Ha! (That parts a joke..honest!)

Seriously though, using a metronome periodically also helps to develop a sense of tempos, so that on your own you can gauge how fast or slow to go. It helps develop our "internal tick tock-i-ness."

[Barbara]

"My baby's got good vibrations....."

I can think of several things to comment on but am going to exercise some self control and leave it alone! :):)

[Barbara]

Oh, wait, I do have a comment--perhaps it woudl be especaillly helpful if it actually gave you a little zap every time you lost the beat. a little behavior mod kind of thing! I could use that when I get caught up in trying to play my part and forget to listen to everyone else...not that it ever happens! :):)