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Silly question but how do you know how to set the bpm on a metronome looking at sheet music? I'm working my way through the suzuki book with my son and was practicing last night and thought maybe it would be good to set up the metronome to see how well I can keep the time. I see the time signature but I'm not sure how that translates? Seems like the time signature doesn't really affect the bpm, is that right?
Regulars
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I'm using the Suzuki book 1 right now too. Most of the pieces have a tempo indication, eg:
"moderato" for Long, Long Ago (p. 31)
"allegretto" for the Gavotte (p. 43)
It seems that there is some wiggle room. Here's a more complete list:
Regulars
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@Heinrich there is no "cast in concrete" relation between the time signature and the bpm. The tempo markings "allegro, moderato, etc." are related as shown in the wiki for tempo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempo . This is still more a matter of individual choice (or the conductor's) as the exact speed to play 🙂
Bob in Lone Oak, Texas
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Thanks, that helps. I kept looking for a bpm signature somewhere, ha.
I found this chart online, does this look about right as a starting place to set the bpm when practicing at home? Makes sense that this changes when playing in a group, I suppose you just follow the leader so to speak in those instances. Or have Pierre send you the backtrack
Tempo Marking Beats per Minute
Grave 40-50 BPM
Largo 50-55 BPM
Larghetto 55-60 BPM
Adagio 60-70 BPM
Andante 70-85 BPM
Moderato 85-100 BPM
Allegretto 100-115 BPM
Allegro 115-140 BPM
Vivace 140-150 BPM
Presto 150-170 BPM
Prestissimo 170+ BPM
Regulars
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Sorry if this sounds redundant or too much theory... but I believe it’s critical to understand.
To clarify.. time signature does not relate to tempo. In fact, the one has nothing to do with the other. Time signature tells you how to count the beats in a measure. Tempo is simply the speed at which the music is played. A piece of music may be played at any tempo, regardless of the time signature of the piece.
BPM is one way to measure and set tempo. Some music will have this notated. Suzuki, and most other teaching manuals do not note the tempo that specifically because the teacher should set the tempo based on the speed best suited for the student, although for learning purposes, a noted range of tempo is noted so the student may learn how specific types of music should be played.
Composers will note tempos to give the piece specific emotion intended and will place various tempo changes throughout a piece as one of the ways to evoke emotion.
Tempo is no less important than time signature, but the two are fairly unrelated and should not be confused.
- Pete -
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Thanks Pete, you did a great job explaining that. Makes more sense to me now.
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I usually suggest that you set a tempo so slow that you can play through without any mistake. Then you work up the tempo. 🙂
Trial and error.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I usually suggest that you set a tempo so slow that you can play through without any mistake. Then you work up the tempo. 🙂
Trial and error.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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