The metronome beats him out. Tempos in music: slow, moderate and fast
The classic definition is that tempo in music is the speed of movement. But what is meant by this? The fact is that music has its own unit of measurement of time. These are not seconds, as in physics, and not hours and minutes, which we are used to in life.
Musical time is most like a beat human heart, dimensional beats of the pulse. These beats measure the time. And just how fast or slow they are depends on the pace, that is, the overall speed of movement.
When we listen to music, we do not hear this pulsation, unless, of course, it is specifically indicated by percussion instruments. But every musician secretly, inside himself, necessarily feels these pulses, they help to play or sing rhythmically, without deviating from the main tempo.
Here's an example for you. Everyone knows the melody of the New Year's song "A Christmas tree was born in the forest." In this melody, the movement is mainly in eighth notes (sometimes there are others). At the same time, the pulse beats, it’s just that you can’t hear it, but we will specially sound it with the help of percussion instrument. Listen given example, and you will begin to feel the pulse in this song:
What are the tempos in music?
All tempos that exist in music can be divided into three main groups: slow, moderate (that is, medium) and fast. IN music notation tempo is usually denoted by special terms, most of which are words of Italian origin.
So slow tempos include Largo and Lento, as well as Adagio and Grave.
Moderate tempos include Andante and its derivative Andantino, as well as Moderato, Sostenuto and Allegretto.
Finally, let's list the fast paces, these are: the cheerful Allegro, the "live" Vivo and Vivace, as well as the fast Presto and the fastest Prestissimo.
How to set the exact tempo?
Is it possible to measure musical tempo in seconds? It turns out you can. For this, a special device is used - a metronome. The inventor of the mechanical metronome is the German physicist and musician Johann Mölzel. Today, musicians in their daily rehearsals use both mechanical metronomes and electronic analogues - in the form of a separate device or an application on the phone.
What is the principle of the metronome? This device, after special settings (move the weight on the scale), beats the beats of the pulse at a certain speed (for example, 80 beats per minute or 120 beats per minute, etc.).
The clicks of a metronome are like the loud ticking of a clock. This or that beat frequency of these beats corresponds to one of the musical tempos. For example, for a fast Allegro tempo, the frequency will be about 120-132 beats per minute, and for a slow Adagio tempo, about 60 beats per minute.
Here are the main points regarding musical tempo we wanted to convey to you. If you still have questions, please write them in the comments. See you again.
Those who are not involved in music may consider the metronome a useless device, and many do not even know what it is and what its purpose is. The word "metronome" is Greek origin, and it was formed after the merger of the two words "law" and "measure". The invention of the metronome is associated with the name of the great composer Beethoven, who suffered from deafness. The musician was guided by the movements of the pendulum in order to feel the tempo of the piece. The "parent" of the metronome is the Austrian inventor Melzel I.N. The ingenious creator managed to design a metronome in such a way that it became possible to set the desired tempo of the game.
What is a metronome for?
Metronome is a device that plays regular sounds at a certain tempo. By the way, the number of beats per minute can be set independently. Who uses this rhythm machine? For beginners trying to master playing the guitar, piano or other instrument, a metronome is a must. After all, when learning a solo part, you can start a metronome to adhere to a certain rhythm. Music lovers, students of music schools and colleges, professionals cannot do without a metronome. Despite the fact that the sounds of the metronome resemble the loud “ticking” of a clock, this sound is perfectly audible when playing any instrument. The mechanism counts the beats and it becomes very convenient to play.
Mechanics or electronics?
Appeared before everyone mechanical metronomes made of plastic or wood. The pendulum beats the beat, and with the help of the slider, a certain tempo is set. The movement of the pendulum is clearly perceptible with peripheral vision. It should be noted that the main "monsters" musical art prefer mechanical metronomes.
Sometimes meet metronomes with bells(pictured left), which accentuates the downbeat in the measure. The accent can be set according to the time signature of the piece of music. The clicks of the mechanical pendulum are not particularly annoying, and are perfectly combined with the sound of any instrument, and anyone can tune the metronome.
An indisputable plus of mechanical devices- independence from batteries. Metronomes are often compared to clockwork: in order for the device to work, it must be wound up.
A device with the same functions, but with buttons and a display, is electronic metronome. Such a device can be taken with you on the road, thanks to its compact size. You can find models with a headphone jack. This mini metronome can be attached to an instrument or clothing.
Artists who play electronic instruments choose electrometronomes. The device has a lot of useful functions: accent shift, tuning fork and others. Unlike its mechanical counterpart, the electronic metronome can be set to "beep" or "click" if you don't like the "knock".
Here is a multifunctional online metronome from the Virartek company, which, among other things, can even be used as a simple drum machine.
How does it work?
The metronome consists of a pendulum with a movable weight and a scale with numbers. If you move the weight along the pendulum, along the scale, then the pendulum swings faster or slower and with clicks, similar to the ticking of a clock, marks the necessary beats. The higher the weight, the slower the pendulum moves. And if the weight is set in the lowest position, then a quick, as if feverish knock will be heard.
Using the metronome:
Big choice size: click the first button on the left to select a size from the list: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, etc.
The tempo can be set different ways: by moving the slider, using the "+" and "-" buttons, moving the weight by making several clicks in a row on the "Set tempo" button
Volume can be adjusted with a slider
You can also turn off the sound and use visual indicators of proportions: orange - "strong" and blue - "weak"
You can choose any of 10 sound sets: Wood, Leather, Metal, Raz-tic, Tones E-A, Tones G-C, Chik-Chik, Shaker, Electro, AI Sounds and several percussion loops for different dance styles, as well as loops for learning triplets.
To play the drums at the original tempo and time signature, press the "reset tempo and time signature" button
The tempo value is specified for BALTS, i.e. for a 4/4 time signature, 120 would mean 120 quarters per minute, and for a 3/8 time signature, 120 eighths per minute!
You can force the loop to play in a non-native time signature, which will give you additional variations on the rhythm patterns.
Sound sets "Tones E-A", "Tones G-C" can be useful for tuning string instrument or for vocal chanting.
A large selection of sounds is convenient when using the metronome to practice pieces in different styles. Sometimes you need crisp, punchy sounds like AI Sounds, Metal or Electro, sometimes soft like the Shaker set.
The metronome can be useful not only for music lessons. You can use it:
For learning dance moves;
For training fast reading(a certain number of strokes for a period);
During concentration and meditation.
Additional Information:
Tempo designations of musical works (according to the Wittner metronome scale)
BPM Italian/Russian
40-60 Largo Largo - wide, very slow.
60-66 Larghetto Larghetto is rather slow.
66-76 Adagio Adagio - slowly, calmly.
76-108 Andante Andante - slowly.
108-120 Moderato Moderato - moderately.
120-168 Allegro Allegro - lively.
168-200 Presto Presto is fast.
200-208 Prestissimo Prestissimo - very fast.
Hello! I decided, so to speak, after my previous article to write a post where I want to consider in detail the question of why a metronome is needed for a guitarist, and also tell you the metronome device, its main types and purpose.
So, for starters, we will find out what a metronome is, and then we will move on to the varieties of this device.
Metronome- a mechanical or electronic device that measures (tap) a certain rhythm at a predetermined speed, in the range from 35 to 250 beats per minute. It is used by musicians when performing a composition as an accurate tempo guide and helps in rehearsals when practicing various exercises.
Any piece of music can be played in both slow and fast tempo. When learning new composition it is always necessary to start with a slow tempo in order to end up playing each note clearly and beautifully. And in this way, gradually approach your goal, reaching the original pace indicated in piece of music, thanks to the metronome assistant.
Metronomes are divided into three families:
- Mechanical
- Electronic
- Software
Each musician chooses for himself the metronome that best suits his requirements. Now let's take a closer look at each family.
Mechanical metronomes
The oldest and very first type of metronomes that was once invented. Current older generation visited in childhood music schools still remembers small wooden pyramids that stood in glass cabinets or on pianos in the offices of strict music teachers. These pyramids are the ancestors of all modern metronomes.
This species has evolved quite a lot since then. Today, mechanical metronomes are made not only from wood, but also using modern composite materials, such as plastic, for example. Previously, these devices were stationary, but today they are already being made in a more compact size, so that they can easily be put in the pocket of a guitar case.
In the device of some metronomes, special bells began to appear, which emphasize the strong beat, while such an “accent” is set depending on the size musical composition learned under a metronome. Of course, electronic counterparts are significantly superior in functionality to mechanical metronomes, but the latter have several undeniable advantages, which are still worth paying attention to. Here are the main ones:
- visibility. A mechanical metronome has a pendulum that swings in different sides, so it is difficult not to notice even a musician who is completely absorbed in playing his instrument. He will always be able to track the movement of the pendulum with peripheral vision.
- Sound. The natural click of a real movement cannot be compared with electronics. This sound is absolutely not annoying and it can be listened to as a serenade, and it also clearly fits into the overall picture of the sound of any instrument.
- Form. At mechanical metronomes it is traditional - in the form of a sophisticated pyramid. This design will add color to any room, as well as create a creative atmosphere.
- Simplicity. Metronomes of this type, due to their clarity and ease of use, can be used by all musicians without exception, and I would also recommend them to beginner guitarists. They do not need batteries, because they have a mechanism like a watch, i.e. before use, the device must be wound up like an old mechanical alarm clock.
How does a mechanical metronome work?
The metronome device is simple to disgrace. The main parts are: steel spring, transmission, anchor escapement. Unlike mechanical watches, the pendulum here is not round, but long with a moving load, where the axis of the escapement comes into contact with the case and clicks on it. Some models also have a strong 2, 3, 5 and 6 beat function. Especially for this, the drum is mounted on the axis of the descent, which, like in a barrel organ, consists of several wheels with pins, and a bell with a lever moves along it. The bell gives the desired share, depending on which drum wheel it will be installed opposite.
Electronic metronomes
This is new and modern look metronomes that have captured the hearts of many musicians around the world. Preference for such devices is most of all given by artists playing power tools. Electronic metronomes, as a rule, are small in size and therefore easily fit in the palm of your hand and can be hidden in any trunk or bag.
Digital metronomes have many useful features, such as tuning fork, accent, and accent shift, and are able to satisfy almost any "capricious" user. There are also hybrid models that are combined with a digital tuner, but we will talk about it in another article.
I would like to specifically mention electronic metronomes for drummers, because these devices are perhaps the most sophisticated of this family. Such metronomes, in addition to various accents and shifts, have additional features.
It's no secret that the brain of drummers is divided into 4 parts, each of which controls a specific limb. Especially for them, metronomes were invented, which can give out a rhythm personally for each limb of the percussionist. To do this, the device has several sliders (faders) in order to mix this or that rhythm for one or another leg or hand. This metronome also has a built-in memory for recording and storing rhythms for each individual song. At concerts, the thing is indispensable at all - turn on the right rhythm and rap on yourself calmly, being sure that you “can’t run ahead” from randomly surging emotions.
From the name it is clear that this is nothing more than a special program installed in the Windows OS environment or an application for Android and iOS. Like real metronomes, virtual metronomes similarly perform their function by generating sound signals at a predetermined tempo and / or using visual effects (flashing lights, displaying numbers). There are quite a few such programs and they are not difficult to find on the Internet.
That's actually all that I wanted to tell you in in general terms about metronomes. I think now you understand why a metronome is needed for a guitarist, and you will become friends with him, because. it is very useful and necessary thing in the arsenal of every musician. You will take the right step towards competent guitar playing, because “smooth” musicians have been valued at all times. This is especially appreciated when joint work in a group with other musicians. Therefore, I wish you creative heights and success in music. See you soon on the blog pages!
