Freedom Phase Metronome Fine Print

Here are a few important thoughts about how to set your metronome during the Freedom Phases.

  1. Make sure the metronome is loud enough for YOU to be able to hear as you play, and it must be clearly audible in the recording.
  2. Do NOT attempt rely on visual metronome queues to keep yourself accurate to the click.
  3. There are NO RULES about the tempo you set. There are no bonus points for playing fast (as a matter of fact, fast playing rarely benefits a freedom phase attempt). Be sure you understand the intensity equation.
  4. Should you set your metronome to single, double, or triple click? See this chart for guidelines.
Phase 1Phase 2Phase 3Phase 4Phase 5
2/4 March2 clicks per beat recommended2 clicks per beat recommendedN/A2 clicks per beat recommended2 clicks per beat recommended
Strathspey1 click per beat required1 click per beat requiredN/A1 click per beat required1 click per beat required
Reel2 clicks per beat recommended2 clicks per beat recommendedN/A2 clicks per beat recommended2 clicks per beat recommended
6/8 MarchUse 1 or 3 clicks per beat.Use 1 or 3 clicks per beat.N/A1 click per beat required1 click per beat required
Hornpipe2 clicks per beat recommended2 clicks per beat recommendedN/A2 clicks per beat recommended2 clicks per beat recommended
JigUse 1 or 3 clicks per beat.Use 1 or 3 clicks per beat.N/A1 click per beat required1 click per beat required

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Some pipers think that it is really hard to play fast, but they’re wrong. It’s very easy to play fast, even at a tempo that comes close to matching that of Stuart Liddell. Thus, a fast tempo is really no problem at all. The problem arises when we expect to play fast and at the same time make anything that sounds close to good music.

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