METRONOME VS CELL PHONE - Getting rid of distractions

These past few weeks I have been doing a lot of work with my metronome in preparation for a few ensemble recordings starting later this Spring.

I like to use a metronome. It helps me keep my tempo exact, and I use it regularly in my practice. In the last months, I got used to simply grabbing my phone when it was time to use a metronome. There are a number of great metronome apps, and since I have my cell phone with me all the time I thought it was practical to use the app in my phone.

What I didn't realize is just how distracted I became once I picked up my phone. On my way into the metronome app, I had to go by my text messages and mail notifications, and pretty soon I was no longer focused on my practice. I clearly needed to make a change.

It was such an easy switch to leave the phone out of sight and go to my "real" metronome. For me, it was truly a breakthrough!

I now leave my phone in a different room when I practice, and when it comes time to use a metronome I go back to my old electronic metronome.

All of this got me interested in the metronome.

The word metronome comes from the Greek métron "measure" and nomos, "to manage”,
already a good indicator that it is all about managing time.

There is quite a history to it, so let's take a quick look:

Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel was the actual inventor of the metronome, but it was Johann Nepomuk Mälzel who took the invention onward by adding a scale. He actually somewhat stole the idea from Winkel, and then not only called the new invention ‘metronome’ but started manufacturing it under his own name Mälzels Metronom in 1816.

Even nowadays, the tempo of a composition is still indicated with M.M., the initials for Mälzels Metronom.

There are three types of metronomes:

The mechanical metronome (on the right) is a thing of beauty, however the pendulum can be easily bent, which leads to an uneven beat. Once that has occurred it is very difficult to repair, and an off-kilter beat is definitely not useful for practicing steady rhythms.

The electronic metronome (top left) is my go to instrument (love my Wittner!). It is easy to use and has a nice strong click carrying even over loud passages.

And then there is the software metronome (screenshot from my phone - bottom left)…I was so convinced that that was the practical solution to my metronome practice, but I have now almost entirely turned away from it.

Give your old metronome a try! You might find yourself more focused on your piano practice again.