How to use the metronome
- Choose the tempo using the slider, the + and − buttons or the keyboard arrows.
- If you don't know a song's tempo, tap Tap tempo along with the music.
- Select the time signature (for example, 3/4 for a waltz or pasillo, or 6/8 for currulao).
- Tap the dots in the beat row to choose which beats have a strong, soft or no accent.
- Use eighth-note, triplet or sixteenth-note subdivisions to practice fast passages accurately.
- Start slowly, play cleanly and gradually increase the tempo.
Simple and compound time signatures
The time signature tells you how many beats are in each group and which note value represents a beat. In simple time (2/4, 3/4, 4/4), the beat is a quarter note divided into two eighth notes. In compound time (6/8, 9/8, 12/8), it is a dotted quarter note divided into three eighth notes. Cut time (2/2) counts half notes: two broad beats per bar.
| Time signature | Beats | The metronome counts | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/4 and 4/4 | 2 or 4 | Quarter notes | Marches, pop, rock, much of popular music |
| 3/4 | 3 | Quarter notes | Waltz, pasillo, guabina |
| 2/2 | 2 | Half notes | Cumbia, porro, vallenato paseo |
| 6/8 | 2 | Dotted quarter notes | Currulao, bambuco (also in 3/4) |
| 9/8 and 12/8 | 3 or 4 | Dotted quarter notes | 12/8 is common in slow blues and shuffles |
When you switch to compound time, the metronome activates eighth-note subdivisions so you can hear the groups of three. Read more in time signatures explained.
Colombian rhythms with the metronome
Each rhythm has its own page with the time signature, a reference tempo and the accents ready to practice: bambuco, pasillo, guabina, cumbia, porro, paseo vallenato, joropo and currulao. For bambuco and joropo, you can switch from 6/8 to 3/4 without changing the eighth-note speed, so you can feel the sesquialtera.
Musical tempos and their BPM
Italian tempo markings are approximate: every piece and every performer adjusts them. This table gives you a starting point.
| Marking | Approximate BPM | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 30–44 | Very slow and solemn |
| Largo | 45–59 | Slow and broad |
| Adagio | 60–72 | Slow and calm |
| Andante | 73–107 | At a walking pace |
| Moderato | 108–119 | Moderate |
| Allegro | 120–155 | Fast and lively |
| Vivace | 156–175 | Lively and energetic |
| Presto | 176–250 | Very fast |
Subdivisions: what each one is for
- Eighth notes: two clicks per beat. They help you locate offbeats and avoid rushing in slow passages.
- Triplets: three clicks per beat in simple time. Useful for swing, shuffle and any triplet passage.
- Sixteenth notes: four clicks per beat. They provide a safety net for scales and fast passages: if a note comes early, you hear it immediately.
Once you can play the passage cleanly with subdivisions, turn them off: the goal is to keep the beat internally.
How to find a song’s tempo
Play the song and tap Tap tempo to the beat, as if tapping your foot, four to six times in a row. The metronome averages the time between taps and displays the BPM. If the song is in 6/8 or cut time, choose that time signature first and tap the broad beats, not every eighth note.
Three exercises for practicing with a metronome
- The beat on 2 and 4: set the metronome to half the tempo and feel each click as the second and fourth beat, as in jazz and pop.
- Tempo ladder: play a difficult passage at a comfortable tempo, increase by 4 BPM each time you play it cleanly three times, and decrease by 8 BPM if it becomes uneven.
- Metronome silences: count four bars with clicks and four without; when the clicks return, you should land exactly on the beat.
Frequently asked questions
What does BPM mean?
BPM means beats per minute. At 60 BPM you hear one beat per second; at 120 BPM, two per second.
Why can’t I hear the metronome on my phone?
Check that media volume is turned up and silent mode is off. On iPhone, the silent switch may block sound from web pages.
Can I practice in 6/8 time?
Yes: select 6/8 in the time-signature menu. The metronome counts two dotted-quarter-note beats per bar, and eighth-note subdivisions let you hear all six eighth notes. You can also use 9/8 and 12/8.
How do I change the accents?
Tap each dot in the beat row to cycle through strong, soft and no accent. For example, in 4/4 you can give beat 1 a strong accent and beat 3 a soft accent, or remove all accents using the “Accent beats” checkbox.
What is tap tempo?
It measures a song’s tempo: tap the button to the beat several times in a row, and the metronome calculates the BPM from the time between taps.
How much should I increase the tempo each day?
Gradually: increase by 2 to 5 BPM once you can play the passage cleanly three times in a row. See our guide to practicing with a metronome.