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Mercadante, S. (mehr-ka-dan'-teh)

Composer; Italy. B. 1795; d. 1870. METRONOME Metronome [Gr., metron, measure; nomos, rule]. A mechanical device for determining the time-value of the beat. The one in ordinary use is attributed to Maelzel, whose name it bears. It consists of a pendulum with two bobs, one of which is movable, driven by clockwork; back of the movable bob is a graduated scale. It is used as follows: If the metronomic indication at the beginning of a piece of music in 1 time is = 100 (14-note equal to 100), the movable bob is slid along the rod until it is opposite the figures 100, the pendulum is set in motion, and one swing- indicated by a sharp click- is allowed to every beat.