What is a Metronome?
A metronome is any device that produces regular, metrical ticks (beats). These ticks represent a fixed, regular aural pulse; some metronomes also include synchronized visual motion (e.g. pendulum-swing). The metronome dates back to the early 19th century. Though the metronome was conceived as a tool for music, some musicians consider it to be a highly controversial tool in this respect (see Criticism of metronome use): there are musicians who reject the metronome altogether.
A metronome is used by some musicians for practice in maintaining a consistent tempo, or rubato around a fixed beat – yet other musicians view this method of practice negatively (see Criticism of metronome use). A metronome can be used by composers, as an approximate way of specifying the tempo[1] – yet some composers and musicians consider these metronome-tempo-marks to have only little value, or to hinder creative musical interpretation: Johannes Brahms has remarked: "I am of the opinion that metronome marks go for nothing. As far as I know, all composers have, as I, retracted their metronome marks in later years."[2]
A metronome is used by some musicians for practice in maintaining a consistent tempo, or rubato around a fixed beat – yet other musicians view this method of practice negatively (see Criticism of metronome use). A metronome can be used by composers, as an approximate way of specifying the tempo[1] – yet some composers and musicians consider these metronome-tempo-marks to have only little value, or to hinder creative musical interpretation: Johannes Brahms has remarked: "I am of the opinion that metronome marks go for nothing. As far as I know, all composers have, as I, retracted their metronome marks in later years."[2]