How to Use a Metronome Properly

Do you play or sing music? Do you find you need help keeping steady rhythm? If so, you should consider using a metronome. A metronome is a device that keeps the beat for you. It emits a pulse-like sound at the speed that you select. The metronome can beat slower or faster depending on which speed you choose. Rhythm is very important to music, especially classical as there is a specific beat to each piece of music. Learning the rhythm will help you ultimately learn and play the music as it was intended. Timing is everything when playing or singing music and a metronome will help improve yours. It is surprising how many musicians do not have perfect rhythm and it is very difficult to learn, let alone play music, if you do not first master your rhythm. Using a metronome will help you do precisely this. It is also a relatively inexpensive way to make practicing the music a little easier.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of music
• Metronome

Instructions

1. Once you've chosen your metronome, check out the piece of music you are going to playing or singing to see what rhythm it is using. Determine whether is it a slow or fast piece and whether there are different rhythms throughout the song.

2. Select the speed of the metronome now. Even if you are playing or singing a fast piece of music, you want to start out slow and then you can build up the speed. Turn on the metronome with the slowest speed selected. If this is a little slow even to start at, then turn up the metronome to a slightly faster speed.

3. Clap or tap your hands to the beat of the metronome. It is difficult to maintain absolutely steady pace, so be sure to listen very carefully to the metronome's beat.

4. Read the sheet music while keeping the beat to the metronome. Move your eyes along the sheet music as if you are playing or singing it. Be sure to keep reading to the beat of the metronome. If at any time you lose the rhythm, start over until you become steady.

5. Begin playing or singing the music to the beat of the metronome. Be sure to not go faster or slower than the metronome pace. Start over if you lose your rhythm or are not in line with the metronome's beat.

6. Increase the speed of the metronome by one notch. Begin playing or singing the music to this new pace and do not increase the speed until you have mastered this level. Repeat as you increase the speed on the metronome.