I don't know why the word, "metronome" used in this sentence. What does it indicate?
A painter I know can't do anything in her studio without propulsive music pounding out of the speakers. Turning it on turns on a switch inside her. The beat gets her into a groove. It's the metronome for her creative life.

What does " It's the metronome for her creative life." mean?

I don't know why the word, "metronome" used in this sentence. What does it indicate?

Question

I don't know why the word, "metronome" used in this sentence. What does it indicate?
A painter I know can't do anything in her studio without propulsive music pounding out of the speakers. Turning it on turns on a switch inside her. The beat gets her into a groove. It's the metronome for her creative life.

What does " It's the metronome for her creative life." mean?

I don't know why the word, "metronome" used in this sentence. What does it indicate?

Answer

It is being used metaphorically. A metronome is a device that ticks to keep musicians in time with the music they are playing. So the beat of the music is keeping her in time with her creative life. It keeps her going and being creative.

Answer

Yes, a metronome is a device that keeps the beat for you while you are playing the piano, the violin, et cetera. As Emma said, it's used metaphorically here to indicate that the loud music she plays keeps her creativity going.