Useful little gizmo (on website - link)

[bassybill]

I've been having a bit of fun with this and finding out about my sense of time and tempo.

Tap for Beats Per Minute BPM

I've been using it in two main ways.

1) Measuring tempo near the start and near the end of various performances, including my own, to see how how closely the tempo has been maintained.

2) Trying to "hear in my head" tunes and measuring the tempo, then playing the recording and seeing how close I was to the actual tempo on the track.

It's also good for just practising keeping a constant tempo. Simple, but informative, imo. Try it and see what you think.

(I thought this was the best place to put this as it didn't seem to fit in "Technique").

[bassybill]

Have a go at number 2) above and post your results. For example...

Buggles "Video Killed the Radio Star"
In my head - 135 bpm
Recording - 131 bpm

Not great, but not too shabby.

[bassybill]

Van Halen "Why Can't This Be Love?"
In my head - 89 bpm
Recording - 89 bpm

Nice.

[bassybill]

Buddy Rich Big Band "Love For Sale"
In my head - 230 bpm
Recording - 215 at the start, about 226 by the end (quite deliberately, I'm sure - let's not have any silly comments about Buddy's time, he's the best drummer who ever lived ).

Anyway, you get the idea. Have a go!

[bassybill]

Nobody tried this yet? One guy in Miscellaneous thought it was useful (I linked to it in a drummer's discussion over there).

[Stumbo]

Thanks for posting.

[stratovani]

I tried Grand Designs by Rush. Results:

In my head - 133 bpm
YouTube video - 142bpm

Interesting! Think I'll try other songs, to see if my "internal MP3 player" is slower than an actual MP3!

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by stratovani

I tried Grand Designs by Rush. Results:

In my head - 133 bpm
YouTube video - 142bpm

Interesting! Think I'll try other songs, to see if my "internal MP3 player" is slower than an actual MP3!

That's actually pretty close.