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metronome |
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metronome (mĕ`trənōm'), in music, originally pyramid-shaped clockwork mechanism to indicate the exact tempo in which a work is to be performed. It has a double pendulum whose pace can be altered by sliding the upper weight up or down. The sliding bob indicates the rate of oscillation by means of calibrations on the pendulum. A number to indicate the rate at which the metronome is to be set and a note whose value is to equal one beat of the metronome are often given on a piece of music, preceded by the initials MM, for Mälzel's Metronome—Johann Mälzel (1772–1838) having made in 1816 the type of metronome in general use today. Beethoven and Schumann left such tempo indications for many of their compositions, but for earlier music and often for later music such indications are those of the editor. A pocket-watch type of metronome was developed in the 1940s; a boxlike electric metronome has also become popular, as well as digital metronomes. metronome a mechanical device which indicates the exact tempo of a piece of music by producing a clicking sound from a pendulum with an adjustable period of swing How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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One major challenge for many classical pianists will be learning to keep a steady and constant metronomic beat throughout every jazz piece, instead of using tempo rubato. It also relates to the political implications that can be found in both pieces: The early billboard references the city's bloviating politicians, who apocryphally earned Chicago the epithet the "Windy City," and the later painting (given the artist's known sensitivity to such matters), the metronomic swing from Bush to Clinton to Bush. They came from the further bend in the river and the rowers bent and pulled, bent and pulled, as they propelled toward him in metronomic bursts of speed. |
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