How will you keep a steady beat?

How it works

A metronome marks equal intervals so you can practise keeping time. BPM means beats per minute. The time between beats is 60 / BPM seconds: at 120 BPM, 60 / 120 = 0.5 seconds, or 500 ms. Four beats make a 2-second bar in 4/4.

Here BPM counts the note shown by the bottom number of the time signature. In 6/8 each click counts an eighth note: six clicks form a bar, grouped 3 + 3. At 120 BPM those groups arrive 40 times per minute. In 7/8 the groups are 2 + 2 + 3; in 12/8 they are 3 + 3 + 3 + 3. Subdivisions split each click interval into two, three or four equal parts.

Tempo names describe a broad musical feel. The guide follows Wittner’s Taktell Piccolino series 890 instructions: Largo 40–60, Adagio 66–76, Andante 76–108, Moderato 108–120, Allegro 120–168 and Presto 168–200 BPM. Overlapping boundaries use the faster name; a tempo outside a range is labelled with its nearest guide. A composer’s marking and the note being counted matter more than the name.

The beat and pendulum follow the same sound clock to keep them together. Playback stops when the page is hidden or left, and needs Play again on return. Bluetooth speakers may delay the sound. Keep listening comfortable, especially with headphones.