How the Metronome was “Stolen”!

July 19, 2021 Leslie Young

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I never wondered how the metronome was invented until I came across some information about it recently. I actually don’t like playing to a metronome at all because it is so relentlessly accurate in keeping a beat to a specific tempo (speed) setting. Part of the artistry of performing music on any instrument is taking pleasure in creating one’s own interpretation of the passing of time between the notes.

I don’t mean playing with incorrect timing, but adding stretches, pauses, or sections slightly faster that give interest and “conversation” to a piece of music, such as by Brahms or Rachmanioff. Of course, parade marches by Sousa would benefit from the use of a metronome.

But it does come in handy sometimes when I want to make sure my concept of a tempo is correct. So, what’s that M.M. on the metronome along with a number, such as M.M.♩ = 100? This setting means the quarter note is played to 100 beats per minute, making a moderately fast tempo. In order to change the setting, the pendulum is vertically slid up or down manually to the desired numerical setting.

This tool that helps musicians play to a certain tempo by clicking to a preset speed is attributed to Johann Nepomuk Maelzel, and the M.M. means “Maelzel metronome.”

Maelzel went to the trouble of getting a patent for his German metronome in 1815, but he had actually copied it from a Dutch inventor, Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel, who called it his “musical chronometer” in 1814 – but did not get it patented. He used a pendulum with equal weight on both sides of a pivot to produce a steady click sound of some sort.

Maelzel apparently liked the idea of the thing and added a scale to it to mark increments of tempo in order to secure his patent. It was well received, but Beethoven suggested the scale be lowered from 50 to 40!

Modern metronomes include boxy or rounded gadgets that run on batteries, have different beat sounds, LED indicators that are easy to read, volume control, and even headphone jacks!

Did You Know . . .

The Earth’s field of gravity is not the same everywhere on the planet. Because of these differences a pendulum (moving part of the metronome) will swing faster at low altitudes (at the Earth’s poles) than it does at high altitudes, such as at the Equator!

So how the metronome came to be includes a history of snitching and rebranding!

Leslie Young is the author/composer of the Revolutionary Piano Method. She co-founded a K-12th grade charter school in Texas and has been a piano teacher for about 40 years. She has had experience teaching a variety of students tackling piano for the first time or as returning students.

She states: “In teaching piano to students of varying ages, what also varies is a commitment of time and the amount of dedication. Children of certain ages may do very well with a parent as teacher; others may need someone who is not family to instruct them. Some older children and adults prefer to make progress on their own, and this method is designed to act as a meticulous guide through new material. Some adults and teens insist on professional teachers, which also encourages continuity. Because these books are self-explanatory, a new or experienced professional teacher will have no trouble using the Revolutionary Piano Method with students. It is an easy way to learn piano.”

Leslie believe that “learning to play the piano is more about diligence and perseverance” – but would add that just as critical to success is the method that is used, the encouragement of critical thinking, and the instructional principles that promote immediate success.

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