jimmy - Posted - 10/06/2008:  19:53:32

Just purchased the Levenson Clawhammer From Scratch book.
It says I need a metronome.
I have never used one before.
Playing level beginner/intermediate.
Only play by myself, at present.
Probably need something portable, as I play in different rooms, of the house.

Can anyone give me a suggestion on what to purchase. Thanks.

jamie_t123 - Posted - 10/06/2008:  20:25:19

Tons of different ones...do you have a music store near you? If not check out elderly instruments or one of the other sponsors here on the site....quick time makes a nice affordable one....so do others I'm sure...

Never get between a Woman and her Banjo!

jamie_t123 - Posted - 10/06/2008:  20:27:13

Here's a link to get you started...
http://elderly.com/accessories/items/TU80.htm

Never get between a Woman and her Banjo!

Supertone - Posted - 10/06/2008:  20:34:47

If your 'puter is in the room you play...try googling "Free Metronome Download" and you'll find a bunch of free metronomes to download.

Docmhc - Posted - 10/07/2008:  03:58:05

Try Janet Davis Music. They list a bunch of them here: http://www.bluegrasscenter.com/metronm2.html


Don

"I have a higher and grander standard
of principle than George Washington.
He could not lie; I can, but I won''t." Mark Twain

FretlessFury - Posted - 10/07/2008:  05:37:06

I've been using this Wittner mini for years and years: http://elderly.com/accessories/items/MET18.htm

I highly recommend it. Not only do you get a nice solid "knock", but you get a visual representation of the tempo with the pendulum. It's dead reliable, never needs batteries, and you can keep it right in your case.

I'm not a fan of most electronic metronomes as I don't like the "beeps" while I'm playing.

Good for you for getting a metronome. I think they're absolutely essential for building good technique. Play with it often!

Tom Collins

---------------

www.newhottimes.com

Elements of Round Peak Banjo videos: http://youtube.com/profile?user=FretlessFury

Edited by - FretlessFury on 10/07/2008 05:37:25

Isaac Enloe - Posted - 10/07/2008:  06:04:29

ooooh, that looks NICE! Thanks Tom.

Yeah, I think metronomes are a great practice tool. I've been obsessed with "the beat" lately--in fact, I think being obsessed with it is part of our job as banjo players!

i

i

"There''s more to think of than y''all''s thought of, ain''t it?"
-Paul Sutphin

EpicFrail - Posted - 10/07/2008:  06:42:59

I have mechnical metronomes (Taktell, Wittner) that I use for playing the piano and guitar, but they just weren't loud enough for my banjo, so I bought the Matrix MR-800 metronome (shown on the Elderly Instruments page linked by FretlessFury).

I like it because 1) it's loud, 2) the flashing LEDs simulate the swinging pendulum, 3) you can set time signatures (very helpful with complex (at least for me) passages), and 4) the frequency is set via a dial (much easier than adjustments made using up/down buttons on your typical digital metronomes). It's bigger than the electronic jobs, but it still fits in my case.

I'd purchase it again.

Daniel


--
"That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly." -- Thomas Paine

Cathy Moore - Posted - 10/07/2008:  07:37:01

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, there are several cheap metronome applications you might consider. I use the one called "Metronome." I need to use headphones to hear it while I play, but I need to do that with my "real" metronome, too.

Cathy

Lessons and subversive clawhammering: http://www.youtube.com/user/BanjoMeetsWorld
Illinois and European tunes and tab: http://www.banjomeetsworld.com

Bluesage - Posted - 10/07/2008:  10:26:52

As has been pointed out, the biggest problem with metronomes is hearing them above your banjo. The loudest (and one of the more traditional sounding) digital metronomes is the Korg KDM-1. It has a "sound chamber" that adds depth and volume to the sound.

If you can find one at a local music store, it's highly recommended.

They have a new version that is available but I haven't tried it and so can't compare it to the earlier version (which I really like).

New version:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend....e?sku=210130

Mike Iverson - www.bluesageband.com

Edited by - Bluesage on 10/07/2008 11:06:54

DHoffmeyer - Posted - 10/07/2008:  10:55:52

Got an old tractor??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1ThSi1wbqU



http://www.deanhoffmeyer.com
http://www.nationalfingerpicks.com

Loo P. - Posted - 10/07/2008:  12:31:15

Awesome!!!!

mralston - Posted - 10/07/2008:  12:48:07

Most of the electronic metronome programs seem to give you an audible beat but not much in the way of visuals. If you're recording, you probably don't need the audible beat, anyway.

You can use Microsoft PowerPoint to create a metronome that gives you a visible beat using one of the "custom animations". However, this means that you need to use the e-metronome at your PC. If there is interest, I'll post info on how to do this. It's free (if you have PowerPoint), and it can give you very good visual beat which mimics the sweep of an classical metronome arm across your PC screen (handy for watching w/ peripheral vision while you play).

Mark Ralston

A man comes to this world naked and bare; He goes through life with troubles and care; He departs this life and goes we don’t know where; But he’ll be all right there if he lives all right here ............................................... Uncle Dave Macon

www.yellowstone-jewelry.com

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 10/07/2008:  13:16:48

Never felt that metronomes are of much use and they do tend to discourage playing with any swing. First figure out if you really need one or if you are just buying one because the book says you gotta.
If you really feel you need a metronome I suggest you get Rocket Science Banjo with about 40 tunes written in a form that you can play on your computer's MIDI. This is not just a metronome but a metronome that plays the same melody you are working on. IT's about a thousand times more meaningfull than a click or a boop or a flash or any of the obnoxious noises and lights metronomes create.
Playing WITH the MIDI also encourages you to play "through" your mistakes, and become proficient at keeping up wioth others. Metronomes encourage teh student to do that "Oh wait. Gotta start over business every time they make the smallest mistake. That inability to play through the mistakes is frequently the difference between a permanent beginner and a working musician.

If you are interested in what I say and would like to know more, it ony cost the price of an email. Write me at:
oldwoodchuckb@yahoo.com
and I will send you a copy of the entire Rocket Science Banjo with all the text now in PDF, plus all the exercise tabs and jpgs as well as "25 tunes" (which is now up to about 38) in banjo tab, playable with the MIDI built into your computer, so you can play along at whatever speed you choose to set.
put RSB in the subject line.
I neither keep nor re-use your email

You can watch the videos for some Rocket Science Banjo subjects starting here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdRuf4X0X7g
Banjo Brad is hosting How To Mold A Mighty Pinky adn other material at
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html

John Gribble - Posted - 10/08/2008:  02:52:51

I have a Yamaha TDM-70 combination tuner metronome which I like a lot. Seiko markets an almost identical version. I paid the Japanese equivalent of about $30.00 for it at a local music store. For at home use it great to have both these tools in one little box. It has both flashing lights and a swinging digital needle like a pendulum which help me visually que in on the beat. It will also subdivide the beat in many different ways.

Most the really good musicians I've known over the years have done their fair share of woodshedding with metronomes and many of those those who practice a lot alone keep up the practice. I find it keeps me honest.

John Gribble
Tokyo, Japan

EpicFrail - Posted - 10/08/2008:  09:36:31

Where I find a metronome most useful is in maintaining the phrase-to-phrase tempo, or maybe I should say overall tempo, not so much the tempo within a given phrase. I find I tend to slow down within the difficult parts and speed up within the easy parts, and after many playing sessions this overall tempo seems right to me. It's not until I then play with a metronome a bit that I can begin to get a handle on this and attempt to correct it.

Now if I could only find a metronome that keeps time correctly...

Daniel


--
"That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly." -- Thomas Paine

jimmy - Posted - 10/09/2008:  12:16:34

Jimmy here; Many thanks to all who replied to my request.
I decided to go old school.
My old tractor was not manufactured in Europe, so I felt it might not have the same tempo as the one in the clip.
I took Fretless Fury's advice and ordered the windup Taktell Super Mini.

Wanted to take a moment and thank all those experienced players who are kind enough to take the time to respond to the inquiries of those of us who are inexperienced and musically challenged.

Thank you.