Plumb bobs were used, so pendulums certainly existed, tho the constancy of their movements may not have been appreciated by all. But the beating of a human heart is always with us, tho its rate is not always constant or consistant, it is there.
Some pieces are dance music, and dancers are sensitive to the tempo. Some dancers more so than others; playing for morris dancers is particularly challenging as it is all a performance, the tempo changing on each note in places. Jumping and leaping dances are sensitive as the force of gravity dictates the pace of leaping moves. Some dances become a friendly challenge between the dancers and the band - as to which can keep up with the others increased pace. When you take up your instrument, sit on your stool and face your audience, it is natural for the heart to speed up a bit, and this is perhaps the reason why a preludium or taster de corde begins the program; steading your fingers, proving the tuning, getting you and the instrument ready to provide art. By the time you are into the meat of the program your heart rate is more normal and a better guide; no surprise that so many pieces work well with a tactus of ~60. -- Dana Emery To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
