Simpedia

Laurie Richards, Nebraska

That’s interesting. All the metronome does is simply provide a steady beat – a fundamental component of music. It’s no different than clapping (except that it doesn’t fluctuate at all). My suggestions above use the metronome to help conceptually, for those who need extra help – understanding how the different ingredients “fit” into the same beat. Not everyone gets this naturally.

If a student consistently changes the tempo while processing MORs, that is a concern, yes? The metronome allows them to take the focus off of one thing (keeping the steady beat themselves) so they can focus on processing the ingredients.
A metronome is simply a tool – it can be very useful. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!

Stephen R., California

Laurie Richards I agree and playing along to the audio recordings functions the same way as well!

Kerry V., Australia

my first thoughts too that i too thought the metronome is a contradiction to SMP premise.

i remember Neil telling us many many years ago not to use them.

Stephen R., California

Kerry V. I usually clap for the student during the lessons, but this is certainly an option for them at home to practice keeping the beat steady. Good opportunity for us to demonstrate playing along to the metronome too! Also, this trains the student to hear and play along to a steady beat. Any musician would get real world exposure to this playing with others particularly a percussionist.

Leeanne I., Australia

Laurie Richards instead of a metronome, I use Music Speed Changer to slow down the speed of the MOR tracks. I teach students that are struggling to anticipate the beat and clap on the beat at the same time as Neil. Metronomes just bring back bad memories for me of traditional lessons, that’s why I don’t use them for this. The only time I do use a metronome is to demonstrate to students what speed sounds like, eg. Largo, etc. If using a metronome works for you, great. I didn’t mean my comment as a criticism in any way.

Ruth P., North Carolina

I taught elem general music most of my career. The #1 goal was to help students develop a sense of steady beat. That can, and should, be done in multiple ways. Using a metronome is just one of many ways to help solidify that.

Joan H., Canada

thx Ruth re: the steady beat comment – I place a high value on this as well, and continue to feel frustrations, as after 10 years of teaching, there are students that seem to have an internal metronome, and others who just don’t seem to get the concept of steady beat, so the idea of using a metronome certainly resonates with me – I think I’ll try Laurie’s idea as I long for students who find this challenging to turn a corner, and perhaps this may be it. I don’t see the metronome as a contradiction to SM or as a transition to traditional music. I want to be able to draw on whatever resources may be helpful, and this discussion gives an open door and sense of freedom to do so – thanks for the idea!