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In Martial Mood (continued) |
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Short Study |
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The Metronome
This is a little instrument invented by Maelzel in 1816 for marking or measuring the time. Its
principal use is to indicate the rate of movement desired by the composer, although it can also be made to assist in developing a sense of rhythm by listening carefully to the regular ticks and en - deavoring to imitate them in the counting or beating. The figures on the face of the dial show the number of ticks it will give per minute with the top of the little sliding weight set at any given figure. The letters M. M.. stand for"Maelzel's Metronome',' the figures frequently given at the beginning
of a composition, immediately following a note, indicating the rate at which these particular notes are to be played. Thus, indicates that eighth notes are to be played at the rate of 60 to the minute, or one to a second, the top of the little weight being set at 60 on the dial. There is also a
form of the instrument in the shape of a little pocket tape measure, and the use of one or the other is strongly advised, although the real development of the sense of rhythm must come from within. The pocket metronome and its use are more fully explained in a later volume. |
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