does anyone else find using them really off puting?
i usually play the music i'm given at a free pace... and yes i know i shouldn't but it's really hard for me
i just hope im not alone

The horrible ticking sound of a metronome can be a bit annoying sometimes, and I prefer playing without but sometimes they are really useful if there's a tricky part of the piece you need to master or you need a general idea of the speed.

As you've gathered the metronome is mostly only off putting when you're doing something wrong, so if it's putting you off it's helping you .

It can be annoying though when one has learnt the piece and wants to put in a little rubato but can't do so as easily. I think in general though if one can't play a piece with the metronome one can't play that piece....

I used to find it very hard to play with a metronome, but gradually have improved so now it doesn't bother me. It really depends on the piece you're playing, though: some should be played in strict time and a metronome is useful, others use rubato and so a metronome ruins the effect. I feel it's good to check roughly what pace you should be playing at now and then, but it has limited uses.

I try not add rubato til I know a piece and can play it at a steady speed.

I agree with sarah-flute. I think you should first know how to play a piece at a steady rhythm first before adding rubato. Since I think rubato is a more ornamental thing you add at the end. I mean, unless you constantly listen to a CD and pick out all the tempo differences, you really only know when to use rubato after you can play at a steady speed.

Though I do understand it can be really difficult sometimes
I would then suggest you start counting the rhythm in your head (or I like to count aloud); then set your metronome to a slower tempo. And once you've mastered that, you can gradually set your metronome to a higher tempo.

I hate Metrenomes because theyre ALWAYS RIGHT!!! its me thats playing the piece wrong! Thet annoy me so much...... but they do help!!!

I don't really like the metronome ticking away while I'm playing a piece - it annoys me a bit. But I agree, they do help to keep a steady beat.

Car Expert

oh no they aren't. we have one that limps. we keep it for its practical joke value.

When I'm first learning a piece i almost always use one, just to get tempo and timings correct, but once learned off by heart - Goodbye metronome!

SNAP! My big pyramid metronome now has a limp but it is nearly 30 years old....... and I can't get rid of it as it's a nice ornamental thing, and I like demonstrating the limp to pupils!!!!!

Can't you use it for talking about swung rhythms or syncopation?

I'm with AP on this one; the metronome is only a hindrance if you've set it to a faster tempo than the one you can currently manage. If used correctly it is a great practice tool, but it should only be set initially to the speed you can play the piece/section you are working on comfortably and without error. Then notch the tempo up gradually, until you are approaching the target tempo, but do not increase the speed until playing is secure at the previous tempo.

If I get my pupils to use a metronome, I always insist that they count along with it too. This somehow internalises the beat and keeps you on the straight and narrow. It's harder to do than purely listening to a metronome, but it pays dividends with sight-reading.

I use the metronome mainly to sort out difficult counting problems and rhythms; once that has found its way into my subconscious, I can switch it off. It is useful too for checking if I'm getting up to speed with modern pieces, but ours is a funny little box thing, and when the twisty knob thingy fell off one time we lost the position it needed to be in to be accurate! I tried to re-set it by a second hand on a watch but don't quite trust it any more.

I have got one of those as well, cd. The kids love it

Steve

The metronome is my friend, as I tend to go faster when 1) the music is meant to be loud
2) not alot is happening and I get bored 3) "too much" has to happen and I get anxious about
being too slow.
But then I get maddened by the metronome if something takes longer than I want to develop a steady pulse
so then I switch on the rhythm kit on the digital piano.

Loops

OK, I'll take that back....... the ones that work are always right!!!

i think there really annoying!, i only use mine when i an trying to make my piece quicker!, i just end up not listening to it!

The pyramidal clockwork type don't sound quite so annoying, (and actually look quite artistic-IMO) as the newer elctronic ones, and especially those "in-built" with digital pianos. However metronomes are, I suppose,useful and sometimes necessary.

they are really offputting... i usually dont play along with them but turn it on and then off after i have the beat in my head, then i can play along to the nicer, more silent one.

how come they're so expensive though? i got one for about £20 a few years ago and it's completely ... well it doesnt beat evenly...

I bought mine for 7 quid 7 years ago. Still works like it was brand new.

I have a little electric one that clips on to music stands. Wasn't too expensive, and though it's got a much more irritating beep than the clockwork ones, it works very well

You might try some packing (coins or large tiddlywinks) under one of its feet to give it a compensatory list.

Hi Folks,

I bought an owl shape metronome that has a more gentle tick than the pyramid. I realy like the owl, I call him the professor.

I save the noisy one for the boys! It also has a habit of very slowly speeding up so I have had a bit of fun with the occasional pupil.

I love it,

I put it on and it clears the room so I can practise in peace and quiet.

They run out so fast ... they know one thing is coming ... scales and lots of them

There are times and pupils where metronome practice is the best thing! I don't always aske people to do it but there are some pupils who speed up for the easy bit then come unstuck!

I like to get my pupils to clap and sing awkward rhythms too before they transfer them to the piano.

It's not so much of a problem with my singers as I keep a steady pulse. Some practice with backign tracks and believe me their more inflexible than a metronome!

Eventually you can develop a sense of even pulse and even instantly recognise metronome marks without the use of a metronome. Thats the best thing!

i usually use the metronome at the begining just to be sure that my speed is stable, then i don't usually need it
(I think the digital metronome is so annoying, i'd rather a pyramid-like one but i can't find it anywhere)

They are rather off putting. I only use it before I start playing, to get the pulse, then I just count in my head, tap the floor, have someone to clap it etc.

Yeah, I did. But now I'm used to it