 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RonD
Date: 2002-12-13 17:15
I would like to buy a good metronome, but I am not sure if I should buy a digital, or mechanical metronome with swinging pendulum.
Digitals are inexpensive but don't offer any visual clues to tempo.
What do you suggest?
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Author: Marge
Date: 2002-12-13 18:05
Just last week I bought a Seiko SQ44-100 in a local store for $20 (tax included). I understand it's a discontinued model (maybe replaced by the SQ50); the store bought a close-out case-worth. I don't know if it would be called digital--it has a turn-dial to set the tempo (rather than a LED display window, or whatever it's called, which some have said is more of a pain to set and reset).
I bought this one, aside from price reasons, partly because it has a loud "tock" sound. The ones that beep would drive me nuts and may be more suited for a percussionist, for instance. But I guess that's a matter of individual preference. Mine can be set to either "tock" or flash a red light on the beat, so that's visual if one puts it on the stand or wherever else it can be seen. I believe some models also having the ability of "tocking" and light blinking at the same time (maybe the successor model). Mine does not have the option to subdivide the beat, but in the end I decided that was my responsibility, so I went for a model that would simply help/force me to maintain tempo.
A big advantage of these battery-operated, non-pendulum sorts is small size. Also one doesn't have to keep winding them (though perhaps there are some pendulum types that are battery-operated--don't know). And with the sort I have, presumably the beat is steadier than with a mechanical/wound pendulum sort.
I found this website helpful:
http://www.metronomes.net
There's good info, the seller seems knowledgeable (I made one inquiry call), and the website allows one to hear the sound(s) made by most of the models. I would have bought a metronome via this site had I not discovered the discontinued Seikos in the local music store when I went in to ask that a poster announcing our community band's holiday concert be put up. Someone had one of these metronomes going, and it got my attention.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2002-12-13 19:44
Credit card size digital is good. You can throw it in your clarinet case and it has both the sound or just the visual beat. Mine has lasted several years now and since it's always in my case it doesn't get lost.
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Author: Marge
Date: 2002-12-13 19:53
I should note that there's small and small. I consider my new Seiko, mentioned above, to be small, but it's not nearly as small and light as the credit-card type. Depending on one's case, one might be able to fit it in. If, as with mine, the case is suited for carrying not much more than a toothpick, carry it with the rest of your "stuff" that won't fit in the clar case.
The Seiko Q44 is about an inch thick, 3-3/4" tall (it has a built-in pull out little wire stand) x 2-3/8" wide. It runs on a 9-volt battery, not one of those little button/watch-type jobs that the credit-card types do.
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-12-13 21:11
The Woodwind.org Classifieds/accessories section might have what you're looking for.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-12-13 23:35
If you have any hearing problems (i do) then you may have a problem hearing the tone of some digital. i found an old seth thomas on ebay that I have no problem hearing.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2002-12-13 23:49
I have a Quick Time metronome made by Quick Tune. It has a "woodblock" sound, a bouncing ball, a flasing light, accented downbeats, a few different time signatures, a tuning note, and a headphone jack. Pretty good for about $15. I've heard very good things about the Seikos, too . . . I think some of them have extra options like subdivision, etc.
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2002-12-14 04:29
Get a Dr. Beat - by far the best I've seen with its ability to subdivide.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-12-14 14:19
I'm all for the visual cues of the swinging pendulum or 'bouncing ball' type. I have the damndest time following my teacher's metronome during lessons (flashing LED)... to hear the cursed thing I play too softly for her liking.
No problem with my ancient Taketll....
Most conductors swing something through the air to keep time, I have yet to see one with a flashing light (some are pretty dim).
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Author: Meri
Date: 2002-12-14 19:27
Digital, all the way! I like the Seiko DM-20, which lets you set up to 9 beats per bar, and has subdivided 8ths, triplets, and 16ths. For price and value, this is my pick.
Meri
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Author: John Scorgie
Date: 2002-12-15 03:54
If you are going to buy one, digital is the only way to go.
For those who nevertheless insist on buying a mechanical unit, understand that the mechanism (not just the case) must be level side to side in order for it to tick evenly.
My old Seth Thomas case looks to be level, but unless I shim it slightly, it has sort of a "syncopated" beat.
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Author: Clare
Date: 2002-12-15 08:00
I've been pleased with my "Speed" Metro-Tuner IMT202. It cost about £25 GBP (am sure it would be cheaper in the US - isn't everything?!) and has both metronome and tuner incorporated.
As well as the TOCK, it has a flashing light and an LED display that looks a bit like a mechanincal arm swinging, so you can rely on that instead of, or as well as, the noise if you want. It has a range of sub-divided beats, including dotted rhythms of sorts.
It's about the size of an audio-cassette.
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-12-15 14:25
As for metronomes, the Dr. Beat DB-88 is among the Cadillacs on today's market; not cheap but a serious student/player shouldn't settle for anything less. They'll eventually incorporate ALL its features, particularly subdiving, multi-meter and multi-beat capabilities ... superb and FUN tool. v/r KEN
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Author: Lindsey
Date: 2002-12-15 19:32
Unless you like beeping while you play (which can get pretty distracting, especially if you change keys in a piece so it no longer matches which drives me nuts), I would recommend one that you can set to click. I understand there are digital ones that do so-- I sure wish mine did. I bought it through a catalog and didn't know it didn't-- all it does is beep in different pitches which bothers me while I play (I'd much rather have a ticking like a wood block or snare without the pitch). It's all a personal choice, though- try some out at a music store if you have the ability to and chose that way. It's a personal thing.
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Author: Josh Schultze
Date: 2002-12-16 16:41
I have both the Seiko Q44 digital and a Wittner pendulum. I prefer the Seiko because it is easier to adjust the tempo. I can hold the horn with my right hand and with my left hand spin the dial.
In contrast, with the Wittmer I have to put the horn down, hold the metronome with both hands and carefully slide the weight up or down. It is nearly impossible to get the weight to go up one notch at a time and I often go up several tempo levels and have to go back down.
The volume with the Seiko is easier in that I can throw in in my case if it's too loud. With the Wittner the surface must be completely level for it to function properly and therefore it is more difficult to find a place to put it.
Take care,
Josh
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