Buying a metronome

October 15, 2013 at 08:16 PM · Wittner is the name of the old metronome brand. They are available but expensive.

October 15, 2013 at 09:24 PM · I have the Wittner in walnut. I cant remember the exact model but its a combination of plastic and metal gears/parts. They normally cost over ~$100. I like it because of the traditional look and the wood sound each click gives off. Its definitely loud enough to hear over a violin. The ones with a bell just indicate the beginning of a measure. So click, click, click, bell, etc. Its very nice and should last you a long time. You can also look on ebay for used vintage ones.

October 15, 2013 at 10:19 PM · If the real thing is difficult to get, for whatever reason, there is an Apple app "TrueMetronome" for iPhone and iPad which is a very convincing and useful alternative.

October 16, 2013 at 01:22 AM · I like the wooden ones best, too. I got mine from The Sound Post in Canada. In the U.S.A., if you don't have a shop nearby that carries them, try googling "Wittner metronome wood", where you will find that you can buy new as well as used ones from ebay. For new keywound Wittners, try this link: http://www.metronomes.net/WitStdWood.htm

October 16, 2013 at 01:58 PM · I am also a fan of the "classic" mechanical metronome. I have the wooden pyramid shaped Wittner (in Mahogany) - if I remember correctly they either came in different sizes...or with different features because there was a price range. My daughter has the smaller, rounded oblong black plastic Wittner...it works just as well and the case has grown on me over the years (looks retro)...

...and if you like whimsy...they also have animal metronomes (designed for kids, but what the heck!). At first I found them creepy...but after seeing them a few times they grew on me. I'd probably get the cat...reminds me of our new kitten...

I don't have the bell...I'm okay with just hearing the steady beat...

October 17, 2013 at 02:33 PM · I've had metronomes all my playing life (75 years this Nov.) and the best for hearing while plaing is the Sorinuri ( http://bernunzio.com/product/sorinuri-m-11-metronome/ ) I now use. Mine is the MTR-33, that no longer seems available and was too expensive, but it had a built in tuner and recorder.

My violins are very loud under the chin, but the metronome sound comes through loud and clear (even to my failing ears) and the moving lights on an electronic add a visual element, if that helps you (especially on slow tempos).

Andy