Piano metronome help needed

[TheSweetestHalleluja]

Hi, DD is preparing for her grade two piano exams and we've been advised to get a metronome to help with her timing. The problem is, I know nothing about music and haven't a clue how to understand how to set the right timing.

For example on her sheet music one of her pieces says moderately and then in brackets there's a crotchet = c.126

I thought I could set the metronome to 126 but it doesn't sound right, I'm probably doing it wrong. Is there a way to convert the 126 to a number on the metronome?

Many thanks

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.joytunes.com/blog/learn-to-play/ultimate-guide-using-metronome/&ved=2ahUKEwjh2IXz_K-FAxXP8AIHHVzzAIEQFnoECC0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2j7IrMyh0jcK4aV8GCp1GZ

126 is roughly 2 beats a second. So each crotchet should be played in time with each beat. That may feel too fast initially so she can work up to that. So maybe try it at around 90 to start with while she gets the hang of it?

Hi,
I just downloaded a free app from the google playstore - I wonder if it could help as you can choose the time signature (click on the little note yo choose) so it emphasises the first beat of the bar.

That should be right. What is the piece of music?

60 on a metronome is 1 beat per second, so 126 = just over 2 beats per second.
Is it a digital or a mechanical metronome? Either slide the weight down the arm to the 126 marking or press the button accordingly on the digital one.

Also, you will find recordings of the piece online so you will be able to check you are in the right place tempo wise.

You also need to know if the piece is in 2/3/4 beats in a bar. It's quite a sophisticated skill for someone at grade 2 to master, they have to listen and adjust if they are playing too fast or slow. It's a great skill to learn and my DC's teachers have all been quite hot on using a metronome.

I would set it to 63 minims a minute instead as I'd find 126 crotchets a bit frenetic. Too much beeping. But that's the ideal pace for final performance so if she's still learning it she'll need it slower.

It's often easier with an app or electric one as you can emphasize the first beat of the bar. It's usual to start a bit slower then work up to the desired speed. This may not be exactly the number on the piece and there may be parts where musically you have to slow down ever so slightly, otherwise it sounds like it's played by a robot. Listening to recordings will help too.

Electronic ones are cheaper and I think easier and more useful

For example you can get an extra emphasis on the first beat of the bar which when you are learning to play in time is useful - it is possible to drift right off

Always start slow and build the speed -

Most exam boards will have example recordings you can play along with

And there are apps that let you slow the recording down to play as you learn - always really useful as you get a feel for how it should sound , which is more than the right notes in the right place

It’s far more important to play in the style and character of the piece than to adhere to a strict rhythm. Music is all about phrasing, which involves slight variations in tempo. Listen to recordings to get the feel of the piece. Playing along to a metronome click is far too difficult for a grade 2 player to master and it is not helpful for anybody. Slow the piece down until the notes are secure. Then aim for a performance which projects the composer’s directions. A metronome click is only useful to assess the speed intended, rather than to play along to.

Thank you all, it was a mechanical one we were using so it sounds like I was setting it correctly at least by sliding the weight down to the number needed.
She's been listening to recordings of the pieces so I'll make sure she keeps doing that.
Think we were both getting a bit confused between the metronome and the time signature so I've downloaded the app version now too which allows us to set the time signature.
I'll reassure her that she is doing the right thing by starting slowly whilst she is getting more familiar with the pieces.