Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[[Greek]] ''metron'' + -''nomos'' [[controlling]], from ''nomos'' [[law]]  

[[Greek]] ''metron'' + -''nomos'' [[controlling]], from ''nomos'' [[law]]  

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1816]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1816]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: an instrument [[designed]] to mark exact [[time]] by a regularly repeated tick

*1: an instrument [[designed]] to mark exact [[time]] by a regularly repeated tick

==Description==

==Description==

A '''metronome''' is any device that produces regular, metrical ticks (beats, clicks) — settable in beats per minute. These ticks represent a fixed, regular aural [[pulse]]; some metronomes also include [[synchronized]] visual [[motion]] (e.g. [[pendulum]]-swing). The metronome dates from the early 19th century, where it was patented by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Maelzel Johann Maelzel] in 1815 as a [[tool]] for musicians, under the title "Instrument/Machine for the Improvement of all Musical Performance, called Metronome".

A '''metronome''' is any device that produces regular, metrical ticks (beats, clicks) — settable in beats per minute. These ticks represent a fixed, regular aural [[pulse]]; some metronomes also include [[synchronized]] visual [[motion]] (e.g. [[pendulum]]-swing). The metronome dates from the early 19th century, where it was patented by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Maelzel Johann Maelzel] in 1815 as a [[tool]] for musicians, under the title "Instrument/Machine for the Improvement of all Musical Performance, called Metronome".

The metronome is used by musicians to help keep a steady [[tempo]] as they play, or to work on issues of irregular [[timing]], or to help internalize a [[clear]] sense of timing and tempo. The metronome is also often used by composers as a [[standard]] tempo [[reference]], to indicate the intended tempo for the piece.

The metronome is used by musicians to help keep a steady [[tempo]] as they play, or to work on issues of irregular [[timing]], or to help internalize a [[clear]] sense of timing and tempo. The metronome is also often used by composers as a [[standard]] tempo [[reference]], to indicate the intended tempo for the piece.

[[Human being]]s seldom play music at an exact tempo with all the beats exactly the same. This makes it impossible to [[align]] metronome clicks with the beats of a musically [[expressive]] performance. This also has led many musicians to criticize use of a metronome. Some go as far as to suggest that metronomes shouldn't be used by musicians at all. The same [[criticism]] has been applied to metronome markings as well. (See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metronome#Criticism_of_metronome_use Criticism of metronome use]).

[[Human being]]s seldom play music at an exact tempo with all the beats exactly the same. This makes it impossible to [[align]] metronome clicks with the beats of a musically [[expressive]] performance. This also has led many musicians to criticize use of a metronome. Some go as far as to suggest that metronomes shouldn't be used by musicians at all. The same [[criticism]] has been applied to metronome markings as well. (See [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metronome#Criticism_of_metronome_use Criticism of metronome use]).

Those in favour of metronome use [[understand]] this as a [[criticism]] of metronome [[technique]] as commonly practised by musicians, rather than criticism of the [[tool]] as such. Their response has been to develop better [[methods]] of metronome technique to address the various issues raised by the critics. ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metronome#Metronome_Technique See Metronome Technique]). These techniques however aren't widely known by musicians generally, including many of the critics of metronome use. What Frederick Franz wrote in the introduction to his [[book]] is still true today (the original version was published in 1947). Metronome technique has developed considerably since his day, but the amount published is still small. As in his day, it is understandable that critics should be under the impression that metronome [[technique]] simply consists of playing your music along with the metronome.

Those in favour of metronome use [[understand]] this as a [[criticism]] of metronome [[technique]] as commonly practised by musicians, rather than criticism of the [[tool]] as such. Their response has been to develop better [[methods]] of metronome technique to address the various issues raised by the critics. ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metronome#Metronome_Technique See Metronome Technique]). These techniques however aren't widely known by musicians generally, including many of the critics of metronome use. What Frederick Franz wrote in the introduction to his [[book]] is still true today (the original version was published in 1947). Metronome technique has developed considerably since his day, but the amount published is still small. As in his day, it is understandable that critics should be under the impression that metronome [[technique]] simply consists of playing your music along with the metronome.

[[Category: Music]]

[[Category: Music]]