A metronome is a great tool. It helps one to learn the correct rhythm and time for any metrical piece of music. However, the overuse of a metronome can be detrimental. It allows one to play in time without reliance on his internal sense of time. I’ve seen many students work on the rhythm of a piece excessively with a metronome only to be completely lost when it is turned off.

So, at some point the metronome must be turned off when learning music. However, one can feel that their internal sense of time is completely steady, while in actuality it is flawed. It is at this point that the use of a recording device is essential. A recording device helps one to learn her tendencies towards speeding up or slowing down. It also allows for the identification of incorrectly learned rhythms.

Almost all students of music own metronomes, but far fewer own and regularly use recording devices. Don’t neglect either tool. Both are necessary to efficiently study music.