Re: the meaning of "metronome"


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Posted by Kenneth Sloan on February 13, 2002 at 11:56:23:

In Reply to: the meaning of "metronome" posted by Hiram Diaz on February 12, 2002 at 23:49:45:

In my opinion, a metronome has two basic functions.

First, it imposes discipline when working up to speed slowly. Metronome settings are an objective scale that tells you exactly where you are, and how far there is to go.

Second, and much more important, the metronome is a substitute for the conductor, or the rest of the ensemble when you are *not* the one determining the tempo.

Playing a phrase "musically" is all well and good - but an ensemble player spends 99% fo the time following someone else's idea of phrasing and tempo.

As a lowly community band drudge, I classify conductors into two major categories: martinets and wimps. Wimps allow the section struggling with the primary melodic line to dictate the tempo; martinets keep that stick moving, come hell or high water. Rehearsals with wimps are very relaxing - but rehearsals with martinets are so much more satisfying.




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