Peterson BB-1 BodyBeat Pulsing Metronome

by Peterson

Product Features

• Feel the Beat from the Vibration Clip
• Internalize the Accent and Subdivisions
• Audible and Visual Modes Included
• A440 reference tone is also featured
• Auto-power off to preserve battery life

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 4.2 x 2 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001FQB1TM
• Item model number: BB-1
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,785 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

The Body Beat Metronome The BodyBeat® offers a new approach on typical metronome use. The BodyBeat metronome produces a pulsing vibration allowing musicians to easily internalize the beat. The BodyBeat clips onto the belt line and a small separate “vibe clip” transmits the beat, in the form of a pulse (including subdivisions and accents) directly to the user. Research has shown that separate neural pathways to the brain exist for tactile impulses and visible/audible information which is why musicians find that tactile pulses are quickly internalized, allowing them to concentrate on reading and listening to the music without the constant distraction of an audio or visual metronome. Feeling the beat, not having to listen to clicks or look at blinking LEDs makes it much easier to focus on the music and playing in correct time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leagues above ordinary metronomes!, February 9, 2010

By 

Elise Winters-Huete (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Peterson BB-1 BodyBeat Pulsing Metronome (Electronics)

I am a violin teacher, and one of my students left this device in my studio after his lesson. I'd never seen it before (he brought it to show me). Between that Monday and the next, I found myself using it spontaneously in lesson after lesson. The results were consistent:

(1) Every student's rhythm improved dramatically and immediately
(2) Even students who typically struggled to play with a metronome, played accurately with the Body Beat
(3) Every student LOVED it, and ALL of them asked me where they could get one.

How many times has a student ever ASKED for a metronome? One female student begged to use it over the weekend, and was willing to drive it across town on Sunday so I had it in time for the owner's next lesson the next day.

As a traditional metronome (with sound) the Body Beat is limited, because the "click" is actually a pitch rather than a wood-block sound. In a situation with several players, only one player would be able to clip the vibrator to them, so you would need a traditional metronome with a loud beat for that purpose; the Body Beat would be too soft. (Clapping hands works works just fine for the few times I'm in those teaching situations; so no great loss, but a valuable improvement for the next model.)

The metric settings (ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three-four, etc.) are great for helping students get oriented to strong beat / weak beat. I haven't used the complex rhythm features, but it's a great option ... there are triplets, dotted rhythms, etc. In spite of the advanced features, the interface is quite simple and easy to use.

I am thrilled with the product and am recommending it to all my students.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs improvement, October 20, 2010

By 

drummer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Peterson BB-1 BodyBeat Pulsing Metronome (Electronics)

I bought this metronome for the vibrating function so I wouldn't have to blast the metronome in my ear while drumming. The pulse duration is a bit too long, and could be a little stronger; it's hard to feel a solid beat unless I rest it on the back of my neck. Once you get to a high enough speed, the subdivisions are barely even discernible. It might work great as a vibrator at that speed, but not as a metronome.

The blip on this thing is high pitched so if you do use ear phones, you don't have to turn it that loud, and it offers a nice variety of subdivisions (quarter, eighth, tripelet, 16ths, and variations of 16ths).

Overall good idea, but needs to be tweaked more. But still an effective metronome

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Peterson BodyBeat, September 18, 2010

By 

Timothy L Clement (Austin, Tx USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Peterson BB-1 BodyBeat Pulsing Metronome (Electronics)

I purchased one a few weeks ago. So far I like it and think it will help my rhythm.

However there are some problems and disappointments...especially for the $99 price tag.

Below are my observations.

Pros:
1. Easy to feel the beats
2. Battery life seems good
3. Buttons / functions are easy to use
4. LCD is easy to read
5. Simple to set (tempo, beat , division)


Cons:

1. Peterson customer service needs improvement. I received no responses to several requests made through their website. I was very disappointed about this and considered returning the unit.

2. It arrived with a low cost (Large Super Duty) , 9V battery that was almost dead (unit would not function). The battery is low quality and is contrary to the needs stated in the user guide.

3. Seems too large to me. Seems like they could accomplish the same function with a smaller chassis

4. Chassis seems low quality plastic. Not sure it would survive a drop.

5. No memory or preset settings

6. 9V battery is a little difficult to remove/replace.

7. No vibration intensity setting ; the vibration annoys me within 30 mins ; ability to lower the intensity might help