Re: What's the best metronome to learn with?
I've been using "Body Beat" by Peterson for a couple of weeks and have formed several opinions. The unit is small and compact and easy to operate and of moderate cost ($99 discounted) in comparison to other metronomes. It uses a standard 9V battery with a plug-in-jack for both ear phones and the Vibe Clip. The Vibe Clip has a 3 foot cable and clips on to your clothing close to your body. Body Beat will also operate as both an audible & visual metronome where the volume level can be controlled. Tempo can be set in 1 beat increments from 40 to 216 BPM. The individual beats can be set in one beat increments: quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, sixteenth notes, dotted eighth & sixteenth notes, dotted sixteenth & 32nd notes, sixteenth & dotted eighth notes, and 32nd & dotted sixteenth notes. Theses rhythm patterns pretty well cover any rhythm that a piper may encounter in their music. There is a small screen that shows tempo, beats to the bar, beat subdivisions, visual baton display, and battery status. The finger tip controls provide an UP/DOWN button, Mode button, Volume control, Start/Stop button for the vibe clip, "A" 440Hz tone button, and a Power ON/OFF button.
The main unit can either be clipped on or placed in a shirt pocket. I have been clipping it onto my belt. The Vibe Clip I have experimented with in a variety of locations, but usually I have placed it next to my waist. It gives the best vibration when placed snugly against the body.
Like any other metronome it requires staying with the beat; however, since Body Beat gives you a pulsing vibration it allows you to move about and not have to listen to clicks or look at blinking LEDS. No distractions to interfer with your concentration and the playing of music! I have even practiced just marching to the vibration without playing my pipes! I'm sure it will come as no suprise to musicians as to how un-even we tend to play within any given bar. My ears "perk-up" whenever I hear another piper playing with a steady even beat. I believe that some musicians are "born with an internal metronome"; however, those of us who are not, can benefit from praticing with any metronome and certainly
"Body Beat" can give us more interesting possibilities. For a few dollars more than a standard metronome, I will recommend Body Beat to pipers and drummers.
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"Excellent Metronome" by Julie
8/18/2008 1:50:32 PM
Musical Experience: Active Player
Style of Music: Classical
Hometown: Albuquerque
The "body beat" feature on this metronome is wonderful. It's much easier to synch to than the regular clicking sounds, which always interfere with the music. I wish I had one of these growing up and just really happy I have one now. This was a brilliant idea! I love this metronome.
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"The Peterson Body Beat Metronome is amazing to use when playing drums. I really like it when I am practicing on my quads or snare drum during marching season. It works well for timpani too. Even when I don’t want to wear it, and if I don’t use my headphones, it can be clipped on a music stand or drum rim to produce a buzzing sound. The Body Beat has become a major part of my percussion toolbox. I keep it with me all the time along with my stick tape, drum key, and tuner. I recommend that any serious percussionist consider the Body Beat when looking to buy a metronome.
Ben Duvall, Muhlenberg North High School Percussionist, Greenville, Kentucky"
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:50 am Post subject: PETERSON BB-1 PULSE METRONOME REVIEW
After a couple of weeks with my new Peterson BB-1 "BodyBeat" pulse metronome, I'm so enthused with it that I'll never go back to a clicking (audible) gnome again! It's a fabulous experience to feel the "beat" and know that my internal rhythm is accurately measured by an external source. The learning curve is a piece of cake. I found out very soon that I'm not as fast as I'd thought. I was certain that I was playing comfortably at 90 bpm, but my BB-1 let me know that I was NOT comfortable there, so I backed off to 80 bpm -- and then again to 75 bpm, where I am comfortable and secure in the certainty that my chord changes are smooth and accurate. Not having my hearing distracted by clicks, I can concentrate on hearing my music. With the BB-1, I'll soon be increasibg ny playing speed at measureable rates.
The BB-1 is light, sturdily constructed of high strength plastic. Peterson has engineered it well, including obvious ergonomic design input from musicians of all sorts, so that its presence is unobtrusive. At $100 (incl s/h), it's not inexpensive, but for what it does, it's a bargain. I recommend it highly.
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Peterson BB-1 BodyBeat reviews:
Say goodbye to spastic time, April 2, 2008
By Tom Westberry (Mt. Hood Oregon) - See all my reviews
This is an entirely new metronome that delivers a strong pulse rather than an audible tone or beat. I've played guitar for 10 years and never had much of an internal since of time. After using the body beat for a couple weeks, my timing has improved tremendously. With a conventional metronome I would gradually lose the groove, and not knowing whether I was ahead or behind the beat, would stop and catch up. With the Body Beat, it's next to impossible to lose the beat because it's a tactile jolt. Also it's quiet so it doesn't interfere with the music. In music timing is everything, and this new product is the most effective training aid I have used.
We all have our own learning curves, some steeper than others and we all want to improve faster. This new innovation makes that much easier.
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Great functionality, but low quality construction for the price..., May 19, 2008
By Michael J. Dowling (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews
I have been learning the violin for about 14 months now and playing in time has been very difficult for me. I'm at the point where my issues with timing will hinder my progress serverely. So I've been struggling with a clicking Wittner metronome and I just can't hear the thing over the violin next to my ear. That and I have to focus on the clicks and it takes my mind off the music, intonation, bowing and everything falls apart. So out of frustration I bought this product and I've made more progress with playing in time in 2 hours with this device than I have with two weeks of the metronome, I kid you not what a great idea! I placed the clip on the nape of my neck and before I know it I'm playing with the slight buzzes in perfect time.
My biggest complaint about this product is for the $100 price tag I would expect higher quality construction. It's not, it feels like a cheap walkman you would get from a street vendor in NYC for $8.00. Cheap plastic, very light and just cheap feeling. It just doesn't feel like $100 worth of product. But functionally it definitely does the job, I just hope something made this cheaply can stand the test of time (I doubt it I am guessing 3 months before it breaks on me from daily use). It would've gotten five stars if not for the low quality construction. When you compare the quality of construction of this device with an equally priced all wood Wittner you can see such a drastic difference in quality no one would guess they are the same price range, the Wittner is a work of art compared to it. When you are also quadrupuling the price of almost all other elctronic metronomes the construction shouldn't feel like low grade junk.
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"NEW REVIEW - "Small innovation -- Huge impact" by Harold Smith
4/24/2008 10:44:56 AM
Musical Experience: Active Player, Music Teacher
Style of Music: Classical, contemporary band, Jazz
Hometown: Austin Texas
I have used several metronomes. Until using the BodyBeat, my experience was frustrating. Watching a wand or listen to clicks was very distracting. With the BB I just set the speed, beat and subdivision, hook the pulser to my shoe or belt and get on with the business of playing. After a short time you forget that it is even there, but the beat goes on.... Although a little pricey I would recommend the BodyBeat as a "Must Have" for all students."
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"It has been a HUGE hit here at my school with several students and other faculty purchasing them"
Tracy Wiggins
Director of Percussion
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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"I feel it much easier to get used to certain tempo, compared to beeping ones. What I'm saying is, when you record something or try to practice a tune in a tempo that you're not used to or uncomfortable with, you need to listen to the beeping for several bars (more if needed) to 'feel' the tempo and get the groove of the tune you're about to play in that tempo.
I'm pleasantly surprised that on this pulsing metronome, it just feels more easy. I clipped it on the back of my spine (not directly, of course!!!: ) where the belt is, hoping that my spine will send signals on a highway to my brain."
Guitarist on Acoustic Forum
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"Just got back from Sam Ash with my new BB.
I gotta say; it's pretty cool. I played with it for a while in the store and used it for a couple minutes before getting back to work.
Random initial thoughts:
- Like the two different vibes (new measure).
- Batton strobe takes a little getting used to (but you wont' usually see it anyways).
- Like the strong vibe. It's suprising how easy it is to lock in on the beat.
- Would like a sliding power button instead of the push button.
- Would like a Tap In beat.
- Would like a back light (low priority)
- Would like a variable strength control (I'm sure my non-musician wife would second that...had to throw that in).
- For price point...should be built a little sturdier (and smaller). The plastic feels a little cheap. Will probably not out last my '78 Strat. The unit itself is a little larger and thicker than a pack of cards. About a 1/3 smaller would be perfect.
Overall, I liked the concept. It's hard to describe how easy it was to lock in on the beat, without getting distracted by trying to listen for the tick. It's just very natural.
It's a good investment for the rythmically challenged; like myself.
Just my opinion."
Bassist on Bass forum
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