Metronomes

**ohiopiper** · 13th February 09, 05:57 AM

For thirty to forty dollars, you can get a high quality mechanical metronome. I much prefer them to electronic ones. Wind it up, set the slide to the desired bpm and get after it. No batteries to fail, no annoying beep at every measure. If the time signature you're playing isn't programmed into the thing, you'll get a beep at random places in a measure. Having an audible tick every beat also means you never have to look at your metronome, just the music.

For the record, I do own an electronic metronome. I have no idea where it is at the moment. My Wittner, however, is in my pipe case right now.

www.metronomes.net has the Wittner Taktell mini (plastic case) for 35 bucks. You can probably get that price at a local music shop and not pay shipping. Also available in wood case, but same metronome is $75. I'm a cheap #### and have the plastic one. Internal works are the same.

**SteveB** · 8th March 09, 07:20 PM

Many good suggestions here.
My instructor noticed that as I was concentrating on the sound coming out of my chanter, I tend to filter out all background sound - including the very loud mechanical metronome. He plugged an electronic metronome in my ear to see if it would keep my attention to timing. It seems to work.
Different methods work for different people.
Slainte.

**TheKiltedWonder** · 8th March 09, 07:37 PM

It might also help to hear yourself play. You can find any number of free recording programs online and record yourself playing along with the metronome, something I've found very helpful (when I remember to do it!).

**SteveB** · 8th March 09, 07:50 PM

I have been using one of those real tiny mp3 recorders that plug into the usb port on the computer. Starting the metronome the mp3 recortder and starting to play the chanter in short order is an interesting finger twister at times. My huge tentacles are great for covering the holes on the chanter, but a real problem when working in pin head size buttons on these new electronic things.( mobile phones, mp3 players, mp3 recorders, etc.)
BTW, i have saved some of the racket that came out of the chanter after my first week, some from after my first month, and compared to now - what a difference.