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We have all the best prices for metronomes
We've tracked down the best prices from leading UK music instrument stores and other music accessories outlets.
If you're a serious musician and want to keep in perfect time you need to consider buying yourself a metronome.
We have UK deals for the two main types of metronome - a classic traditional metronome which is usually a triangular pyramid shape and operates with a swinging needle which can be set to the beat required, and the new modern digital style of metronome which operate with the latest digital technology. These can be standalone devices or clip-on metronomes which are popular with musicians who play acoustic or electric guitar, bass guitar or other stringed instuments.
We have an extensive range of cheap or more expensive metronomes from leading UK stores including Woodbrass Music Instruments, Musicroom.com, Chappell of Bond Street, Dolphin Music, Conrad Electronics, Amazon, Ebay, Argos, Tesco and Gear 4 Music.
About the Metronome
The metronome has been an essential tool for many musicians over the years who want to pefect their timing. It was invented in the early 19th century by a Dutchman called Dietrich Winkle. Among the famous musicians to use a metronome was the great composer Ludwig Van Beethoven. The metronome is widely used by pianists but the top of a piano is not the only place where you'll find a metromome - it's also an essential device for many musicians who play drums and guitar. In fact, many drummers use a click track when recording in a studio, which is similar in concept to a metronome and allows them to stay in time, providing a perfect base for other musicians to lay down further tracks. Most metronomes can be set to produce a rate from 40 to 208 beats per minute and are available in many different colours and sizes. A metronome is an invaluable device for teaching musicians to recognise a range of tempos, as well as training them in rhythm. The ability to determine the tempo or rhythm of a piece of music is what differentiates an average musician from a highly experienced one.
The types of Metronome
There are two types of metronome you can buy here from UK stores - the mechanical metronome and the digital metronome. The mechanical type, sometimes referred to as an acoustic metronome, is the one we traditionally associate with a metronome, namely a pryamid-shaped device which has a swinging pendulum. It is a very simple type of device but is very effective at helping musicians with their timing. Basically, as the pendulum swings from side to side it emits a pulse sound - a click or tick-tock noise, and each interval enables the measuring of the number of beats per minute. A mechanical metromome is driven by a wind-up spring, similar to that found in a clock, and the spring is wound up with a key which generates tension that provides the force needed for the upright rod or pendulum to swing. This rod has an adjustable weight on it which can be slid up and down the rod to control the rate of the swing, thereby setting the number of beats per minute. The lower down the rod the weight is, the faster the rod will swing, thereby increasing the number of beats per minute (BPM). When the rod reaches it furthest point left or right the metronome will emit a clicking or tick-tock sound. Wittner is one of the top names associated with the manufacture of traditional mechanical metronomes.
The digital metronome is a modern concept and draws on the latest high technology available. There are dozens of types of digital metronomes for sale from many leading audio companies including Korg, Dr Beat, Yamaha, Seiko, Piano Mate and Chordmaster. The onboard technology means digital metronomes can be very precise and it's very easy to set their controls. They are usually battery operated, although some connect to the mains, which means there's none of the winding up associated with a mechanical metronome. They also have the advantage of allowing the user to adjust the volume of the ticking sound and some have a headphone jack. It's possible to buy a cheap digital metronome but some of the more advanced models, such as the Korg KDM2 have some very impressive built in features including an LED to display visually display the tempo, a tap tempo function to easily set the tempo and a total of 19 different beat patterns. The KDM2 also have a useful memory back up function which can remember the tempo, beat, reference pitch and calibration you have specified previously - even when the power is switched off.
Many digital metronomes are pocket-sized so they are great for musicians who want to easily carry one around to different locations.
If you like the look and operating style of a mechical metronome but want the powered features of a digital metronome, it's also possible to buy an electric powered or battery-operated metronome which is still similar in appearance to a mechanical metronome and emulates its method of operation. Whether you want to buy a cheap or more expensive digital or mechanical metronome, we're convinced you'll find something that suits your budget from our extensive range of metronomes from top UK stores. | |
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