PETERSON BB-1 PULSE METRONOME REVIEW

JWELLS · View Community Profile Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 2523

After a couple of weeks with my new Peterson BB-1 "BodyBeat" pulse metronome, I'm so enthused with it that I'll never go back to a clicking (audible) gnome again! It's a fabulous experience to feel the "beat" and know that my internal rhythm is accurately measured by an external source. The learning curve is a piece of cake. I found out very soon that I'm not as fast as I'd thought. I was certain that I was playing comfortably at 90 bpm, but my BB-1 let me know that I was NOT comfortable there, so I backed off to 80 bpm -- and then again to 75 bpm, where I am comfortable and secure in the certainty that my chord changes are smooth and accurate. Not having my hearing distracted by clicks, I can concentrate on hearing my music. With the BB-1, I'll soon be increasibg ny playing speed at measureable rates.

The BB-1 is light, sturdily constructed of high strength plastic. Peterson has engineered it well, including obvious ergonomic design input from musicians of all sorts, so that its presence is unobtrusive. At $100 (incl s/h), it's not inexpensive, but for what it does, it's a bargain. I recommend it highly.

kdkoadd · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback John. I'm gonna put this on my growing list of things I wanna buy. Smile

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Dennis · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

Ooo! After my 3rd metronome I am saving for a good one, and I will have to try to remember this one. If you recommend it, it must be good!
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raisethebarre · View Community Profile Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 483

John,

Thanks for the product review. It always helps to hear from those who have given good recommendations previously, ie, SoundSeat.
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slwiegel · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:10 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the review.

If I can ask, how does it attach to your body?
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jsignal · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the review John I have now put that on my must have list. Not just for myself but for my son also who plays the drums.
Thanks again
Cheers
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Jim
Finished course

JWELLS · View Community Profile Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 2523

The BB-1 attaches to your belt or clothing with two spring-loaded clips (that form belt loops). The pulsor has a lead wire of some 46 inches and plugs into the control unit and has to lie next to your body, arm, leg or whereever you wish to place it. The control unit also has a plug for an earpiece (not furnished) in case you want to hear the click, but why anyone would want to use it in this manner is a mystery to me. The control unit has settings for tempo (bpm), beats per measure, and divisions (quarter notes, eighth notes, tuplets, etc.). So far I've stuck with 75 bpm, 4 beats per measure, and quarter notes. I believe that it's going to become a necessary piece of gear for students and gigglng guitarists in the next year or so. Really, it's already adding much to the precidion of my playing.
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JeffB · View Community Profile Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 909

All it needs to be perfect is a stun gun section, so when you miss a beat, it hits you, you will be playing in time in no time!

Stargazer55 · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

Hi John,

Thanks for the update! I'm curious. How does the gnome indicate the start of each measure? With a stronger pulse?

Thanks,

Tom

rszoke · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject:

A longer pulse, I believe.

JWELLS · View Community Profile Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 2523

The beginning pulse for each measure is definitely stronger than the others. There's no mistaking it, even at the lowest "volume" (strength of pulse). In fact, if I had one criticism of the pulsing gnome, it's that the volume control is pretty much ineffective; there's some delta, but not as much as I'd like (but I'm not sure what the threshhold current for a pulse is). It could be, come to think of it, that the volume control is for the audible circuit output, which seems useless. Regardless, it's a small thing. I keep the pulsor on the inside of my belt on the left hip, so havn't yet tried attaching the pulsor to the instep of my left shoe, and I'm going to try that next because when I began Session 6, I started the practice of tapping rhythm with my left foot. Then, I was trying to keep in tempo with the clicks or whatever seemed comfortable. Now, I'm spot-on with the input from the pulsor. All in all, the thing the BB-1 brings to the table is the absolute certainty that I'm playing at whatever tempo I select and never have to give it another thought, which frees up much, much concentration to pay attention to other aspects of my playing technique. If this thing broke or went missing, I'd immediately order another because I think it's an absolute necsssity. I think that soon we're going to see ads featuring commercial artists endorsing these things (BOSS and othe manufacturers are bound to board the train soon, hopefully bringing down the price).
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Dreams alone won't go very far; Perfect practice will make you a star.

adele · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:16 am Post subject:

JWELLS · View Community Profile Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 2523

Adele, I ran this thing down from the Peterson website, and they claim to have one local store (It seems to be closer to Inverness than Aberdeen)
Steel Guitars Scotland
62 Pluscarden Road Elgin, Morayshire, IV30 1, UK
phone +4413430543187
email: steelguitars_scot@btconnect.com

They also list four online dealers:

http://www.watfordvalve.com
http://www.astrings.co.uk
http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk
http://www.absolutemusic.co.uk

Hope this helps.
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Dreams alone won't go very far; Perfect practice will make you a star.

Compustein · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:43 am Post subject:

I know! I know! This must be closely related to those gadgets that deliver a small electrical shock to make your muscles contract and let you tone up without actually exercising.

I can see it now: Keep the beat with our pulsing metronome, and develop rock-hard abs at the same time! Move it all over your body and look like Ah-nuld in 30 days! LMAO

Seriously, I think it's a great idea, and would love to get one if it weren't so pricey. I may have to put in a special order with Santa this year.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled forum.

Mike
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Samick Beaumont D712 Dreadnaught 12 String Guitar
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Epiphone Masterbilt EF-500RCCE

adele · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:16 am Post subject:

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