What is a metronome?
Q: What is a metronome?
A: A metronome is a small device used by people practising instruments to help them play in time, and by composers to show performers the desired speed of a piece.
Q: How does a traditional metronome work?
A: A traditional metronome works by clockwork, with a pendulum that swings back and forth like the pendulum of a grandfather clock. It needs to be wound up after it has been ticking for awhile. There is also usually a weight on the pendulum which can be adjusted to set the speed.
Q: What are numbers on the metronome used for?
A: The numbers on the metronome indicate how many ticks per minute there will be at each setting - usually ranging from 40 (slow) to 208 (very fast).
Q: Who invented the metronome?
A: Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel invented the first version of the metronome in Amsterdam in 1812, and Johann Maelzel improved upon his ideas and patented it in 1816.
Q: How do composers use metronomes?
A: Composers often write "Crotchet = 76" or something similar at the top of their music, indicating what speed they want it played at. This number corresponds with settings on a metronome so that performers know exactly how fast they should play.
Q: Who was Beethoven?
A: Beethoven was an influential composer who lived during late 18th century and early 19th century Germany. He was one of the first composers to use metronomes when writing music.
