The metronome is a useful tool for practicing instruments, not just piano, in a more enjoyable and effective way.
You can specify the number of rings per minute to sound at a steady interval. By using a metronome, you can practice playing your instrument rhythmically.
As a result, you will learn a sense of rhythm and will be able to improve your performance of that instrument more efficiently. You will be able to perform smoothly with other instruments, such as a band or a piano group.
You can develop the skill of playing at a steady tempo and rhythm without a metronome, but it is more efficient to practice with a metronome.
However, you can practice more efficiently with a metronome.
Therefore, in this article, we will introduce a metronome and a method of practicing with a metronome.
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History of Metronomes
To begin with, let me give you a brief history of the metronome.
This is just a trivia section, so you can skip it if you want.
The metronome allows you to choose the number of notes to be sounded per minute.
In other words, it was impossible to make it if one minute was not known exactly.
Clocks date back to BC, but metronomes were created after pendulum-type clocks (clocks with a pendulum underneath that looks like something out of “The Big Old Clock”) were made.
Modeled after this pendulum-shaped clock, the current metronome was made by adjusting the speed of the pendulum with a weight attached to the top of the pendulum.
The first metronome in its present form was famously used by Beethoven. Beethoven was deaf in his later years. While he was deaf, he relied on the vibrations of the metronome to accurately grasp the rhythm of his music.
This led other musicians to use metronomes.
Introduction of metronome
The first time you use a metronome, you should
just listen for a few different tempos.
That’s all you need to do. Listen and remember that the lower the number on the metronome, the slower the tempo, and the higher the number, the faster the tempo.
After you have heard it several times, clap or stomp your foot in time with the tick. Once you are able to maintain the tempo by clapping or tapping, play one note on the piano to the metronome, one note for each tick. It can be difficult to maintain a steady rhythm, so be patient and try again and again.
Try practicing with a metronome.
The metronome does not merely develop the body’s sense of rhythm. In piano playing it
leads to finger training.
and it is a great way to develop your fingers.
No matter how well the brain understands that rhythm and tempo, it is meaningless if the finger muscles cannot keep up.
Let’s start with a simple song and play it using a metronome.
In addition to asking yourself, “Can I press the keys in accordance with the rhythm?
Beginners tend to be only conscious of the action of pressing the keys to sound a note. Unfortunately, the major difference between a beginner’s performance and a professional’s is the connection between the notes. Use a metronome to get the correct timing before the action of releasing the keyboard becomes a chore.
When you get tired of practicing with the metronome.
Practicing with a metronome is one of those exercises that can feel very monotonous and quickly become boring, especially for children.
In such a case, make a rule to give yourself a candy and a whip.
Make a change in your practice!
The following is a list of rules that you can use to help you change up your practice.
For example, the
- The upper tempo value is +20 of the reference tempo and the lower tempo value is -20 of the reference tempo.
- Starting from the standard tempo, each time a mistake is made during the performance, the metronome tempo is lowered by “5”.
- If you can play without making a mistake, increase the tempo by “5”.
- If you can play at the maximum tempo three times without making a mistake, the game is cleared.
The rules are as follows.
Of course, you should set an upper and lower limit for the tempo.
If the tempo is too fast or too slow, it will be difficult to play and time will be wasted.
Try to set the upper and lower limits as far as you enjoy playing.
This variation in practice refreshes the brain and reduces boredom.
By repeating this kind of practice, the brain and hands will naturally learn a sense of rhythm.
Let’s all make rules and have fun practicing.
Finally.
It takes a long time of practice to acquire a sense of rhythm and to be able to play at a good tempo. However, this is an unavoidable barrier to playing the piano.
But this is worth the practice time.
Not only does it shorten the time it takes to master a song you are practicing for the first time, but it also allows you to smoothly adapt to the instruments and voices played by others.
Using a metronome will reduce the practice time required to master this.
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