1809.] 
fection of it are so great, as to render it 
very objectionable. For, as every dif- 
ferent movement of time requires an 
appropriate length of pendulum, and 
impulse of projection, a tedious and in- 
cessant labour is required, to attend to 
these things; since it is hardly possible 
that the most retentive-ear could sug- 
gest the numberless different velociues, 
adapted to every kind of music. This 
iconvenien¢ge is so great, that, even 
in i dae bands, only ¢hree rates of 
time are attempted to be ascertained by 
pataitiioons: But the chief objection is, 
that, unless a pendulum be connected 
with some’ powers, that will keep up a’ 
regular motion, it will soon cease to 
vibrate in equal divisions of time; the 
difference will be perceived, by a nice 
ear, in a few seconds; and it will appear 
the sooner, if the instrument be exposed 
to a current of air, or any thing that may 
retard its motion. Pendulums, con- 
nected with machinery, are used for this 
purpose at Milan, where music is studied 
in the most scientific manner; but they 
are too complex, expensive, and trouble- 
some, to be generally adopted. 
As it is extremely desirable, however, 
that some correct and easy method, for 
regulating the time of music, should be 
devised, I suggest the following remarks, 
which may prepare the way for some- 
thing more perfect. 
The common division of time, into 
minutes and seconds, appears the most 
convenient for this purpose. By means 
ef it, physicians ascertain the pulsations 
of the human system, with so great 
facility, that an experienced practitioner 
can pronounce, pretty eorrectly, the 
number of pulsations in one minute, with- 
out looking upon a stop-watch, or a 
moment-hand. In the same manner, I 
conceive that the number of crotchets to 
be played, or sung, in one minute, might 
be easily determined, and ried ac- 
cordingly, at the beginning of every tune, 
or piece of music. The practice of 
playing, or singing, at the rate specified 
by this mark, would be easily acquired; 
by using, for some time, a common clock, 
or watch ; and it would be liable to na 
variety, imper fection, or uncertainty. 
Bat if it should be thought that the 
number of crotchets, in a minute, would 
be too great to be marked at the begin- 
ning of a quick tune, the same end 
might be accomplished, by ascertaining 
the number of crotchets, or quavers, in a 
second; which could be easily done, by 
g 
Method of regulating Musical Time. 
“oat 
dividing those ma minute by 60. If the 
crotchets in a minute were noted, it 
should be done in a whole number; if 
the crotchets, or quavers, in a sceond: i 
a fraction, whose denominator would 
specily the kind of notes, as is commonly 
done, and its numerator the number 
contained in one second. : Tius, 90 is 
equivalent to 2.—-To illustrate this sys- 
tem; 
A slow march requires seventy-five 
steps, in one minute, each step, half a 
bar, or two grotehets so that the whole 
ALE of crotchets, played in one mi- 
nute, must be 150; of quavers, 300; 
which number, divided by 60, wall give 5. 
Ife ence, the mark for such tunes should 
be %, denoting, thac five quavers should 
be playea in One second, 
A quick march admits one hundred 
and elvht stops in a minute. Some of 
the tunes for this movements are set in 4,. 
or, as itis called, French time; others 
10 oo or compound common time, OF 
the former, one cretchet is played to 
each step; hence, the number of quavers 
in one minute, will be 216; of semi-’ 
quavers, 432. As this number cannot be 
divided exactly by 60, it might answer 
common amusement to mark such tunes 
zs, implying, that seven semiquavers 
should be played m one second. But it 
would be more exact to mark 108, ina 
whole number, denoting, that so many 
quavers should be played in one minute. 
The quick marches in £, admit one 
hundred and eight steps also in a minute; 
but allow three quavers to each step. 
Hence, the number of crotchets in a 
minute will be, 162; of quavers, 524; 
which, being divided by 60, will give 
nearly 5; and such tunes may be marked 
3, for common amusement; though, 
inore exactly, 162, in a whole number. 
The applicauon of this practice ta 
other kinds of musical composition, where 
so much precision is not indispensable, 
will be very evident and easy. Thus a 
psalm, or hymn tune, containing SO 
minims in one minute, may be marked 2, 
A iinuet, sees gal 90 crotchets in a 
minute, marked 3, Butitis, particularly 
in performing mixed pieces of music, 
that the different movements of allegro, 
largo, presto, &c, being marked 3,4 3, 
or the like, would give steadiness ta 
practitioners; and produce a uniformity 
in the manners of leaders, which is 
greatly wanted ac present. 
I have thrown out.these hints, for the 
consideration of those who are abler 
judges 
