The History of the Metronome
A metronome is a device used by musicians to keep a steady beat as they are practicing music. The development of the metronome began in the 16th century, and most early ideas proved to be failures.
Other People Are Reading
-
What Is It?
-
The metronome is basically a pendulum similar to what is on a clock. The difference is that the speed of a metronome can be adjusted.
Early Metronomes
-
In 1696 Etieune Loulie became the first to use the pendulum principle to create a metronome. His invention and dozens of others that followed were not successful, because a very long pendulum was needed to beat at the slow speeds of some songs.
-
Success
-
By the early 19th century, metronomes with adjustable weights on the pendulum were being produced. They were very popular and remain so today.
Other Styles
-
As technology improved, other types of metronomes were developed, including electric metronomes that made a clicking noise and metronomes with a flashing light to keep the beat.
Modern Metronomes
-
With today's technology metronomes have become smaller and are incorporated into multifunction units such as electronic instrument tuners.
-
References
- Photo Credit By AndonicO at Wikimedia Commons
