Voice Metronome, love or hate?!

I recently wrote about the importance of concentrating on one’s own line of music, and not being distracted by checking if I / we are in unison with other parts.. but what if the music is fast and has a rhythm that is tricky to grasp? Namely “The Isla Reel” arranged by Marg Hall. A beautiful foot tapping piece, in which all four parts at some point take the melody, even the bass! There are those who frown on a voice metronome, but better that surely than battling on with incorrect timing! We slowed the rate right down and had the satisfaction of playing most of the piece acceptably, and can now look forward to speeding up and switching the voice off!