From Classical to Bluegrass – Across the board it’s a great idea to practice with a metronome.
Of the basic elements of music, i.e. Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm, rhythm is arguably the most fundamental and most ingrained. We have an amazing inner-awareness of each second that passes. Ever wake up just seconds before the alarm goes off? Or get back to the microwave just as it is counting down to zero?! Yet it is a common issue to stay in time! We like to rush parts we know, and slow down the parts we don’t.
Forty years ago I was given a very nice metronome as a gift from a good friend and banjo player. He said it didn’t work. I still have it! I never use it though – not because it doesn’t work, it just drives me crazy! I found one I like much better, and will share it with you right here.
Each “track” is a live recording of an actual drum beat performed by a professional drummer. They are 10 full minutes in length and recorded here at various useful tempos. Compared to a traditional tic-toc metronome, this drum may sound a bit unusual, however… the “groove” on each track comes with its own dynamics, and emphasis in the correct place. This makes it easy to cop the groove as well as the tempo! You have total control over the volume – and tempos between the 5 BPM increments can be achieved by downloading and using software such as the Amazing Slowdowner.
BLUEGRASS/FIDDLE TUNES:
This beat is a great groove for fiddle tunes and county/bluegrass type material in 4/4 (common time) time. Tempos here range from 70 to 130 beats per minute (BPM). 70 BPM being a slower, yet fast enough tempo that a fiddle tune will have life. 130 BPM is clipping right along, and any finesse is in great danger.
BPM
 BG/F 130
 BG/F 125
 BG/F 120
 BG/F 115
 BG/F 110
 BG/F 105
 BG/F 100
 BG/F 95
 BG/F 90
 BG/F 85
 BG/F 80
 BG/F 75
 BG/F 70
WALTZ
This beat is for Waltzes and any piece in 3/4 time. Tempos range from 65 to 115 beats per minute (BPM). 65 BPM being a very slow tempo Waltz, where at 115 we’re at the faster side of Waltz tempo.
 BPM
 W 115
 W 110
 W 105
 W 100
 W 95
 W 90
 W 85
 W 80
 W 75
 W 70
 W 65
SWING
This beat is for any song or hornpipes with a swing or “shuffle” feel. Tempos range from 85 – very slow ballad, to 225Â beats per minute – very up, hot swing tempo.
