I am practicing Ravel’s Piano Trio these days, preparing for a concert I will soon play in Lithuania.
The first movement is written in 8/8, but the grouping is 3+2+3.
Naturally, I wanted to use the metronome for some sections. My trusty old pal. The little judgment machine that has traveled the world with me and scolded me for every rhythmic crime I ever committed.
But this time, he could not help me.
He was just sitting there, being the robot he is, beating away in simple terms like:
One, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four…
Very loyal. Very useless.
I needed something more specific. I needed a metronome that understands irregular groupings. Something that can actually help with patterns like 3+2+3, 2+2+3, 5+7, or whatever rhythmic monster a composer decided to release into the wild.
Do you know that frustration when you need something and think: surely this already exists.
And then you look around and realize that either it does not exist, or it exists in a way that makes you want to throw your instrument and go live among goats.
Well, Kings people of the Strings, I created the tool I always wanted for myself.
And I am giving it to you.
It is called Polypuls.
It is an irregular metronome for musicians.
You can use it for custom beat groupings, strange subdivisions, odd meters, and all the rhythmic situations where a normal metronome just stands there, unable to understand your pain.
Polypuls is completely free to use, and it will stay that way.
So please go wild with it.
Use it. Break it. Test it. Practice with it. Make it suffer.
I only ask one thing of you, good people of the Strings.
In the top right corner, you will find a little feedback icon. If you notice any bugs, problems, confusing parts, or if you have ideas for future improvements, please let me know there.
Anything goes. I really want to see what you come up with.
Have a marvellous Sunday, and go practice with Polypuls.
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Take care,
Mislav Brajković
KingsString