Metronome

A metronome is a mechanical, electronic or electro- mechanical device that by steady tapping of note values ​​(often quarter notes ) specifying a steady pace.

The number that is set on the metronome indicates the beats per minute, so in the unit " beats per minute" ( bpm). Assuming a counting out in neighborhoods and provides the metronome to 60, so that is a quarter note lasts exactly 1 second.

History

To maintain a steady pace for the first time a pendulum was proposed by Thomas Mace in 1676. Probably due to this excitation published 1696 Étienne Loulié the description of a thread pendulum metronome with a lead ball attached to the thread.

In the period 1800-1820 a number of different timepieces were invented. However, larger importance was the metronome only after 1815 in the built from the instrument maker and designer of mechanical vending Johann Nepomuk Mälzel in Paris form. The call to build such a machine, came from several well-known musicians. Ludwig van Beethoven wished, as he wrote later, specified a precise definition pace than the previous ( Adagio, Allegro, Presto, etc.). A music Chronometer was manufactured in 1814 by the German mechanic living in Amsterdam and organ builder Dietrich Nikolaus angle after Johann Nepomuk Mälzel had been looking for this advice. Mälzel patent for a metronome dated December 5, 1815. Was only after the production had started in larger numbers, Dietrich Nikolaus angle found out about it and complaining that the invention itself. In 1820, the actual invention of the metronome was finally awarded in a lawsuit Dietrich Nikolaus angle; but many contemporaries also then took the view that Mälzel was the rightful inventor of the metronome. Dietrich Nikolaus angle has constructed the first metronome for Mälzel after its conception, Mälzel has expanded this metronome to a scale and it eventually produced in large quantities in our own factories in Paris and London and sold to America. The metronome made ​​in Vienna by Leonhard Mälzel describes deviate strongly.

In the mechanical metronome in London and Paris made ​​a spring is wound, which holds a pendulum in motion, similar to the mechanism in a clock. Through a sliding weight on the pendulum, the frequency of the metronome can be adjusted using a scale. In some metronomes yet a bell can also be activated, which rings each on the first cycle time, adjustable for two -, three -, four - or sixfold clocks. In electronic metronome, the clock signal is generated electronically. Its size can range from that of a mechanical metronome to the credit card format. A comparison of the tempo markings on the scales of Metronome pictured revealed considerable differences and prove that such information is not always reliable.

View from the bottom of the movement of a mech. metronome

Recent mechanical metronome

Small mechanical metronome

Electronic Metronome

Electronic Metronome

Electronic metronome with tuner

Metronome markings and interpretation

By the composer himself with reference to a particular note value as " half", "quarter" or " eighth " indicated metronome markings are valuable as a guide for interpretation. Metronome markings of anonymous origin, however, can not lay claim to accuracy. The tempo markings on the scale of Mälzel metronome ( as " Andante - walking 76-106 " ) do not apply to certain note values ​​, so that, taken individually, there were no clear instructions pace. In the choice of tempo also this time signature must be considered: a " Andante 3/8" is in the music of classical music, for example, faster than a " Andante 3/4", and this in turn faster than a " Andante 4/4 ". So it is with the time signatures 2/2, 2/4 and 2 / 8th

Knew the music of classical music before Beethoven and still did not need a metronome. She used a Tempo system from the "natural tempi of signatures ", which was the performing musicians known by tradition; regional and individual differences, however, were possible, even the musicians were able to vary independently etc. the pace in the manner required by the size of the performance space, the current line thickness. Furthermore, the rule was to be based on the smallest note values ​​occurring: one piece was, for example, slower if it contained thirty-second, as if it mainly consisted of sixteenths or even eighths. The Italian tempo markings helped then as additional guidance. Despite his enthusiasm about by Mälzel finally become practically usable Metronome Beethoven has only 25 " metronomisiert " of its more than 400 works, that is, with tempo markings after Mälzel scale provided.