I only started playing whistle at xmas, and while many recommend practicing with a metronome to keep the tempo, I always found it difficult to listen to it, while focussing on what I am doing.
Instead what seems to work well for me is to use AbcNavigator to play the tune in AbcNavigator while I learn, and just sort of play along trying to keep up. I find it especially useful figuring out when to breathe and not loose the tempo. However, since it is quite difficult to launch a tune and jump to my whistle and position my fingers before it starts, I am inserting a first line that adds some pauses and 3 quarter notes ( "[Tempo]"z6z6d2d2d2| ) to set the tempo. It is then easy to get ready, and begin to play along keeping up with the tempo. This way, not only I don’t have to count tics and tacs while I play, but I can progressively increase the speed as I master a tune at a slow pace. You can also turn the monitor off from time to time to help memorizing it.
I was just wondering if others have used this approach, and how it worked for them.
I agree that it’s easier to play along with music than with the tick tick of the metronome. And more realistic, more like what you’ll end up doing when you get more social with your music. If you’re finding you can keep up with the pace, more power to you! I play along with CD’s sometimes, which is fine when I’m able to work out the tune or have the sheet music.
Some folks use a slower-downer program to be able to set an easier pace. I haven’t tried this, as I practice away from my computer.
Eventually you’ll develop an inner metronome, if you “have rhythm” in any capacity. Unless keeping in tempo has been pointed out as a problem in your playing, chances are your ear will help you keep pace.
I also find a metronome to be distracting, especially the electronic “beep” kinds. That high-pitched “beep! silence, beep! silence, beep!” sound is a bit annoying, to be honest. I like the old-fashioned wooden ones that actually tick slowly. Of course, they’re not as convienent as the electronic models, and they cost more.