Listen to welcome from Bill

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF BILL McGLAUGHLIN
Monday, November 16, 2026
11 AM – 1 PM | Doors Open at 10:30 AM
Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center
129 West 67th Street, New York City

A celebration of Bill's extraordinary life in music, with performances, memories, and love.

READ KARRIN'S FULL MESSAGE →
Ask Bill
See all

Just got to hear some of your nice program on tempo and it reminded me of a device I always wanted someone to invent: a tempo changer. Maybe if you mention that on the air, someone will build it!
—G.

Great idea, but I’d actually recommend getting yourself an orchestra. Then you’ll have the fun of trying to convince a bunch of temperamental musicians of the rightness of your tempi.

The problem with just changing the tempo is that it wouldn’t change the host  of other things musicians would change if they were to take a different tempo – volume, bow stroke, vibrato, etc.

But, now that I’m really considering it, it’s a lovely idea for the short term. I’m pretty sure my engineer told me such software is already in existence. I’ll ask him.

Thanks for writing.
Bill McG


View All Articles

Explore questions from listeners and Bill’s thoughtful answers about music.

Visit the Ask Bill Archives

Appearances