Metronome
The etymology of the term ‘metronome’ comes from the Greek ‘metron’, for ‘measure’, and ‘nomos’ for ‘regulation’, or ‘law’. Measured application of the law. Predictable; fixed; rigid; relentless. Designed to make you anticipate and react to the beat of the music, so that the orchestra plays together. So that even when the score demands syncopation and swing- notes played off the beat- you still anticipate the next ‘takt’, and prepare yourself, subconsciously (but completely) for the next note that you know will come, whether you are playing, or not. Your head is a perfect contradiction. On one hand: determined, driven, certain. You know who you are. You know your mind. Your outward desires and reality are as clear as day. And so you resent and revile your own baser instincts- your tearing, teeth-on-edge irritation at …