Metronomes and Tuners are very valuable tools for any wind player. Musicians have it really easy today when it comes to equipment.
Metronomes
Metronomes used to be much larger for the most part. You could buy the little wind-up pendulum metronomes fairly cheaply, but other than those, you would pay quite a bit to get a decent metronome, and it wouldn’t subdivide.
The first good metronomes were the Dr. Beat’s. When I was in college, they cost around $150.00. Seiko then brought out the first credit card sized metronome, and I got one of those. It worked, but you couldn’t buy a cheap metronome that subdivided. Subdividing metronomes that were affordable came later. Today, you have a lot of good choices.
If you’re a trumpet player, you’ll need one that’s loud enough. That’s hard to find, but you do have some options. Also, you’ll need one that subdivides. Make sure it will do eighth notes, triplets, and sixteenth notes. The cheapest ones out there don’t subdivide. Click on the links below for more information. You can also purchase products through this website for the best available prices. I recommend the following metronomes:
If you want a little nicer metronome, the higher end version of the Dr. Beat, the DB-90, is very nice.
There’s also a new one out there that’s really cool. It’s called the Body Beat, and it has a clip that attaches to your clothing and it actually pulses the beat and subdivision so that you feel it through the clip. It’s a neat idea. Click below for more information or to purchase the Body Beat.
Peterson BodyBeat BB-1 Pulsing Metronome
Tips on using a metronome:
1. Always set the metronome to subdivide…especially with slower tempos. When the tempos get fast, stop the subdivision.
2. Always tap your foot. While I know teachers that don’t want their students to tap their feet, I really believe it will help. I’ve seen many students improve their rhythmic ability by adding a foot tap.
3. Use your metronome regularly. Unfortunately, most metronomes don’t see a lot of use. It won’t help you if it stays in your case. While it’s not always fun to use one, it will help. Think of it as a musical vitamin for your playing.
4. If your metronome is not loud enough to hear well when you’re playing loudly, plug it into a small speaker or headphones.
Tuners
Having a good sense of pitch is essential for a wind player. I have been blessed with a good sense of pitch, and it’s really frustrating to play with someone that doesn’t have a good ear. If your sense of pitch is good, you shouldn’t have to move your tuning slide very often. Other than playing in excessively hot or cold environments or to adjust for a mute, I haven’t had to move my slide in years. A tuner is essential for developing your ear.
What tuners to get?
Preferably, you should get an automatic tuner. In other words, it automatically measures the pitch of any note you play. Also, you want one that either has a needle or a display that simulates a needle. You also need one that can have the calibration adjusted so that you can match it to a particular piano you might need to play with. Some ensembles also play to a different pitch level. I like to use a pick-up microphone with my tuner, so if you want to use a pick-up microphone you’ll need a tuner with a jack to plug it into. Next, try to find one that also plays the pitch for you.
I recommend the following:
You could also do well to buy a combination tuner and metronome. Korg has a really good one.
Korg TM-40 Digital Tuner Metronome
Pick-up Microphones
Pick-up microphones will let you check your pitch while playing inside an ensemble. When plugged in, it will only measure your own notes. They help a lot. The following microphones have served me and my students well:
Matrix MPU2 Clip-On Tuner Microphone
Tips on using a tuner:
1. Always play the note you want to check, and don’t look at the tuner until it feels and sounds right. If you look at the tuner when you first start playing, you will subconsciously adjust, and you won’t get a correct reading.
2. Spend a lot of time using the tuner while matching a pitch it is playing. In a piece of music, pick one of the notes that occurs regularly and set the tuner to drone on that pitch. Every time you get to that note in the music, hold it and match the tuner’s pitch. This exercise will help you to match others’ pitches better.
3. Get a pick-up microphone. With a pick-up microphone, you can check your own pitch while playing in an ensemble.
4. Use it. After using a tuner regularly, your sense of pitch should improve greatly. You’ll begin to know what you need to do to adjust any note in a piece of music.