What Features Should My Metronome Have?
There are lots of models & options to choose from! Here’s what to look for in a good metronome.
Many years ago I asked Santa to bring me a metronome for Christmas. Santa obliged, and I got a metronome like the one pictured on the left.
I was so disappointed, Santa brought the wrong metronome! At the time I did not know why it was the wrong metronome, I just knew there were better options for me. A couple of years later I got up the courage to ask Santa for a metronome again (you don’t ask for the same thing 2 years in a row!), but this time I was very specific. Santa was given a brand and model number, and maybe even which store to buy it from (no, a link to Amazon.com was not an option yet). So this time Santa followed the detailed instructions and I got the metronome pictured below on the right. I still use this metronome everyday. So then, what makes this metronome better then the first one?
The metronome has every tempo in 1 beat-per-minute increments rather then just some representative tempos.- The metronome has several subdivision options (Quarter, Eighth, Sixteenth, and Eighth-note Triplet options on this particular model).
- The metronome has a “tap the tempo” feature where you can tap a button in time and the metronome will tell you what tempo you were tapping.
- The metronome can provide an accent on the downbeat of each measure in several different time signatures.
There are lots of metronomes available that have these features at all sorts of price points. Find one with the 4 features above that fits your budget and is the physical size that you want and you will be all set for years to come.
If you go the metronome app route for your smartphone or tablet be sure to check the reviews first – it is possible to create an app that does not keep accurate time on mobile devices.
Posted by Christian F. Howes, Percussion Faculty.