Hello all! So I'm an adult learner, new to the concert flute, but with two years' experience on Irish pennywhistle and recorder. I've gotten a lot out of my whistle and recorder lessons, but one thing I haven't learned is how to use a metronome. Now I'm taking classical flute lessons, and I'm finding the metronome a necessity, but it's *hard*! ;-(
I'm wondering if anybody has a good way to systematically approach getting used to the metronome for the first time. At this point, I'm trying to use it while I sight read, with mixed results, but I'm wondering if it might be better to start with it while I'm just playing scales, so that I get used to hearing and following along. I've also seen people recommend (on this board) using the metronome to focus your practice on a couple of bars of a piece at a time, rather than going straight through a whole piece.
I know there's a lot of debate over the value/necessity of the metronome, and I have no interest in that. I've decided myself that I need to power through it, and I'm looking for advice on the best ways to learn how to use.
Learning to use a metronome
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fluteguy18
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- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:11 pm
Re: Learning to use a metronome
You've basically figured out a good way to get used to it already. You just have to muscle through it. Start with your scales, slow and meticulous. As you get used to hearing it while you play you then have to use it like a tool. A metronome in good condition with good batteries (if it is electric) will be unrelenting and will not waiver. It is basically accountability in a box. A metronome is also the best teacher in my opinion. If you start slow then it will help you learn things correctly, and if you write down where you start, you can keep track as you increase the speed. It will then give you a sense of accomplishment as you see the numbers go up.
As for the debate... I won't get into it, but it depends on who you ask. There's a debate amongst folk players, I agree. In 'classical' music there isn't. A metronome is a mandatory piece of equipment that is invaluable to your progress. Without using it, you can't truly improve beyond elementary skills.
As for the debate... I won't get into it, but it depends on who you ask. There's a debate amongst folk players, I agree. In 'classical' music there isn't. A metronome is a mandatory piece of equipment that is invaluable to your progress. Without using it, you can't truly improve beyond elementary skills.
Re: Learning to use a metronome
Yeah, my girlfriend is a Suzuki trained violinist, and to her it's just like breathing. I need to remind her that it's a skill that one needs to learn 