Herbert, I've had one of those for 68 years, it is commonly called a toe. Use the metronome to set the pace, then turn it off. As you know I don't speak as a lutenist, but all songs vary in the steadiness of the beat desired. Only in ensemble is strict timing desirable. Even in orchestral music the conductor will subtly vary the time that he beats, although he may not know it.
The tapping toe is the best metronome, although the mechanical device is useful to set the overall pace of the piece. I would be speaking in the wrong place were I to compliment a pop singer, but Frank Sinatra didn't have a very good voice at all - what he had was phrasing, the ability to lead or lag the beat by just enough to make music. A strict progression of notes in a strict time can be made by a computer, music is made by musicians. Best, Jon
