Re: Metronome marking with non-integer value

[Kieren MacMillan]

Hi all,

> P.S. Rational / decimal metronome markings can be useful for
> analytical purposes (performance studies, or rhythmically complex /
> generative music such as Nancarrow etc.). Also for music to be
> performed if the piece has i.e. (multiple) click tracks or conductors,
> or if it is music written for mechanical instruments.

1. Click tracks is definitely where non-integer metronome markings come up most 
often, and are not only useful but downright essential.

2. I’m quite good at feeling/hearing/knowing tempi — in fact, several 
colleagues and I have a running contest where one of us calls out a number 
(representing a tempo marking), we each try to tap it out, and after comparing 
to a metronome the person who is closest “wins” (usually a drink); the winner 
is almost always ±2 (and usually ±1) of the metronome reference tempo. In 2007, 
I was producing a studio recording (Pierrot ensemble plus percussion and two 
singers). The composer of one of the pieces used non-integer metronome 
markings, and those of us in the booth (including three of us involved in that 
“running contest”) poked fun at the whole idea. At one point, the composer 
stopped the take and said “That sounded more like 70 than 70.6”. We rolled our 
eyes… but when we analysed the tempo in Pro Tools, he was absolutely right! 
Until that recording session, I really had no idea that anyone could hear 
fractional tempo differences that accurately.

Cheers,
Kieren
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