I am messing around with an metronome app on my mini ipad....and I just like to know...what rate are you going for...like for a waltz...and two step and a country two step?....I been listening to different songs and it varies quite a bit...do you mix it up or is it according to the song.....I want our dancers to be able to dance comfortably ...any suggestions appreciated.

Hey Mark..those metronome things are a pain in the .!!!!! IMHO. They are only good if you play them LOUD, like it was a drummer bashing away in your ear...otherwise it's WAY too easy to get out of sync with the app...Sorta makes you into a player who's a bit like a wanna be painter..you know..the ones who paint by filling in the numbered areas on a black outline. Yeah..you'll get a painting but it's one dimensional and lacking any colour!

You got rhythm, mate..after all, you've played with the best( the Creole cowboyZ ensemble !! ) so just back yourself ! BTW..the Cajun waltz beats are NEVER found on an app or machine..you know ..that "tap THUMP THUMP" pattern. I have a drum machine and apps..pretty much useless as far as I'm concerned. Best thing to do is make your own recorded beat pattern somehow..dunno how? DX

I am not a great fan of metronomes, but I do have a drum machine that I used to use for practicing. Not as much fun as a band, but way more fun than a metronome. I have a small number of simple patterns: waltz, shuffle, cajun 2 step, zydeco double clutch.

Here are some good ballpark beats-per-minute rates that work out well:

Waltz - 115 to 125 BPM
Shuffle - 140 to 145 BPM
Cajun 2 step - 170 to 180 BPM or more
Zydeco double clutch - 160 to 175 BPM

These are approximations that I am remembering off the top of my head of what I have used in the past.

One thing that I find to be VERY helpful when learning a new song is to practice it at a much slower pace than normal and work your way up. Otherwise, your timing is likely to be a little sloppy.