March 28, 2008 by John Ericson

Archived under: Pet Peeves

Pet Peeve: Know Your Tempo


Horn teacher pet peeve no. 3: students who don’t know their tempo.
ma30 Pet Peeve: Know Your Tempo
By this I mean know what metronome mark you are shooting for in any work you are serious about learning. Because if you don’t know your metronome mark it basically says to your teacher that you have not worked the rhythm of the selection well with a metronome.

Ideally you will derive your tempo from a survey of recordings of the work you are learning and from the printed musical terms.

Another reason to know your tempo is the number one reason people don’t advance in auditions, besides missing many notes or a playing way out of the style, is poor rhythm. Work with a metronome, know your tempo.

JOHN ERICSON has wide-ranging experience as an orchestral player, soloist, and teacher.» About John Ericson » More articles » Horn Notes Edition » Contact

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Pet Peeve: Know Your Tempo
Published on March 28, 2008 by John Ericson

Archived under: Pet Peeves
John Ericson & Bruce Hembd
on the French horn, brass related topics, and the field of classical music.