Peter Erskine has played the drums since the age of four and is known for his versatility and love of working in different musical contexts. He appears on 700 albums and film scores, and has won two Grammy Awards, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee School of Music (1992).

1) Why is rhythm important?

Rhythm is life — orbiting planets, the rising and setting of the sun, the changing of the tides and the leaves, the cadence of our speech and the patterns of our steps — everything in nature moves in rhythm. Music most of all!

2) How often do you practice with the metronome?

At least once a day.

3) Why is it important to practice with the metronome?

It is easy and natural to not pay attention to tempo while focusing on other things (like wrestling with our instrument or with some notes on a page). A metronome can be like a conscience. We all need one. Likewise, it is important to turn OFF the metronome during your practice session. I often suggest to my students that they use a metronome as a reference tool: to set a tempo (then turn it off) and then to check on their tempo consistency at the end of an exercise or etude, etc.

4) Can you name one thing that you like about the metronome on metronomeonline.com?

It is always available if you can connect to the internet. This is a remarkable service to students, teachers, and professionals.