Teaching Diary - The doubt about rhythm, tempo and metronome (1)

The doubt about rhythm, tempo and metronome 

Sometimes, the parents may ask if buying a metronome can really improve the sense of tempo and pulse. Before we jump to the conclusion, let's try to point out few typical examples of students' problem.

1. Students never count the rhythm by heart or month or even do not know how to count the rhythm

- It is so important to let the students count by themselves and know where "1 and 2 and" is.  They sometimes rely on teachers too much and do not know the note value actually. Therefore, let them count by month or heart first before they use the metronome.

2. Students know how to count the rhythm, but not being stable

- The flexibility of fingers or posture of whole body may affect the stability of rhythm. They may need more technical exercises rather than a metronome.

3. Students know how to count the rhythm, but always being too rush

- They sometimes cannot control the tempo as they want to create an intense atmosphere or they are just too nervous. The intensity of heartbeat may affect the sense of rhythm. 

In this video, the student is facing problem no. 3. We try to sing out the melody with the metronome and let the heartbeat be used to the pulse. We'd suggest the students to memorize the particular part when practicing in order to stay more focus on rhythm and the flexibility of fingers.