Hello all,
In an effort to correct my abyssmal tempo & rhythm problems, I recently downloaded this on-line metronome:
http://www.pinkandaint.com/weirdmet.shtml
Is there anyone out there who uses this and knows how to set it to give the proper beat for different tune types (reels, jigs, polkas, etc.)?
thanks,
SteveB
I don’t think a computer metronome could perfectly give you a jig or reel rhythm, note by note. But if you set the metronome’s beat by the number of “real beats” you should be fine. By real beats I mean the actual rhythm of the tune. A jig, eg, is written in 6/8, but if you listen to it it doens’t have six beats per measure, but two. Each set of three eighth notes (or a quarter and an eighth, etc) is a rhythmic unit. So, if you set your metronome for 2/4 you should be set. Likewise slip jigs and waltzes are 3/4, hornpipes are 2/4 or 4/4- reels, I’d say set it for 2/4, since the sets of four eighth (or a quarter and two eighths, dotte quarter and one eighth, etc) constitutes a unit.
Least, that’s what I do, and it works fine for me.
Seconding this. The metronome only helps if you set it to click at the same tempo your foot would be tapping. Machines are terrible at making jigs sound like jigs and reels sound like reels.
I’m not quite sure what you want exactly, but basically what I do is to use the custom selection and enter as many numbers as there are eighth notes in a bar. Thus, for a 6/8 jig, I would enter 6 numbers, 012345, or 123012. For a reel or hornpipe, I enter 8 numbers, 12301231. 9/8 slip jigs, enter nine numbers and so on. The tempos can be set according to your taste using the slider bar. The numbers relating to tempo really don’t have anything with beats per minutes. There was an explanation for this given by the author but I don’t remember what it was and it’s not an issue with me anyway. I just set the tempo to suit my abilities: dead slow when I’m just learning a tune and then bump it up from there as progress allows. I usually use a low bass drum voice to accent the appropriate beat. Here’s an example of what I might use for a reel: 21212012 where 0= no sound 1= sidestick 2= bass drum.
Thanks guys. I realize that a computer generated “drum track” cannot replicate the real rhthym or swing of a tune. But with almost no clue about music theory (whats a bar?, what’s an eighth note?), I just needed some basic info.
cheers,
SteveB
I agree. And as one who’s working hard to improve his timing, I am using a metronome a lot lately. My view of it is that you don’t play to the beat of the metronome. You play in a rhythm that’s consistent with the metronome.
Henrik Norbeck’s “ABCmus” has the capability of changing the “swing” of a tune:
http://www.norbeck.nu/abcmus/index.html
However, you would essentially be practicing with a sequencer rather than a drum machine or tempo.
Even though a simple metronome does not teach “groove”, I found it to be indispensible for practice.
Here is a good metronome via Terry Mcgee’s site:
http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~tuner/tuner_e.html
Yes, but the problem of this is that you get teh beats, but not the rhythm: a jig, or even a reel, of straight eighth notes is hardly a jig or reel at all.
(or maybe I’m wrong, I ahvent’ used thi specific program so do correct me if I am 
)
You’re right, if you set it to tick on every note you play then you will end up sounding like a midi file. 
It’s a good idea to work on tapping your foot or whatever to keep steady rhythm, most Irish trad players I know do this. A little tricky at first as your mind tries to control different muscles but after a while it becomes sub conscious. Start by tapping your foot to recordings, then listening to a tune you know fairly well (perhaps played by your teacher e.g.) but have no ingrained bad timing habits. Then when it’s in your head, play the tune, not too slow and not too fast and keep the time with your foot.
Easy peasy after a while and very useful when learning new tunes whether off paper or by ear. Takes a little bit of effort but stick with it.