Online Metronome: Free Rhythm Practice Tool (Adjustable BPM)

Master your timing with our precise Online Metronome. Whether you are practicing piano scales, guitar riffs, or drumming rudiments, a steady click is essential for musical growth. Set your BPM manually or tap your desired tempo.

How to Use the Metronome

1. Set Tempo: Use the slider or type a number to choose your BPM (20–300).
2. Tap Tempo: Not sure of the number? Press "T" or the Tap button rhythmically to set the speed.
3. Time Signature: Select your meter (e.g., 4/4 for rock/pop, 3/4 for waltz, 6/8 for compound feel).
4. Start/Stop: Press SPACE or the play button to start the click.

Why Practice with a Metronome?

1. Develop an Internal Clock

Humans naturally rush when music gets exciting and drag when it gets difficult. A metronome is an impartial judge that forces you to stay consistent, eventually training your brain to keep perfect time without it.

2. Measure Progress

Speed is a measurable metric. If you can play a solo at 80 BPM today and 85 BPM tomorrow, you have tangible proof of improvement. This "progressive overload" approach is the fastest way to build technical speed.

3. Clean Up Technique

Slowing down a difficult passage reveals sloppy technique. By practicing at a slow BPM (e.g., 50% of target speed), you can perfect your finger movements before speeding back up.

Time Signatures Explained

Your choice of time signature changes the accent pattern of the metronome (the "strong" beat).

Signature	Pattern	Description
4/4	ONE-two-three-four	The "Common Time" used in 90% of Western music.
3/4	ONE-two-three	The "Waltz" feel. Think "Happy Birthday" or "Piano Man".
2/4	ONE-two	Marching rhythm. "Left, Right, Left, Right".
6/8	ONE-two-three-FOUR-five-six	Compound time. Feels like two beats with triplets.
5/4	ONE-two-three-four-five	Odd meter. Think "Mission Impossible" theme.

Practice Strategies

The "Step-Up" Method

1. Find the BPM where you can play the passage perfectly (no mistakes).
2. Play it correctly 3 times in a row.
3. Increase the metronome by 5 BPM.
4. Repeat. If you make a mistake, drop back down 5 BPM.

The "Gap" Method

To test your internal timing, set the metronome to click only on beat 1 of each bar (or even every other bar). You have to keep the time in your head during the silence. If you land on the "1" exactly with the click, your internal clock is solid.

Keyboard Shortcuts

For efficient practice sessions, use your keyboard:

Key	Action
SPACE	Start / Stop
T	Tap Tempo
Arrow Up/Right	Increase BPM (+1)
Arrow Down/Left	Decrease BPM (-1)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good BPM for beginners?

Start slow. 60 BPM is a great starting point because it matches the seconds on a clock, making it intuitive. It's slow enough to think about every note but fast enough to feel a flow.

My metronome sounds off-beat. Why?

If you are using Bluetooth headphones, there may be latency (audio delay). For the tightest timing, use wired headphones or your device's built-in speakers. We optimize our audio engine for low latency, but Bluetooth hardware introduces unavoidable lag.

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Instrument-Specific Guides

• Piano Metronome – Practice strategies for pianists, including tempo guides for classical pieces.
• Guitar Metronome – Build speed safely with picking and strumming exercises.
• Drum Metronome – Develop rock-solid time with click displacement and rudiment practice.
• Time Signatures Guide – Learn how to practice in 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, 5/4, and odd meters.

Related Tools

• Tap Tempo Tool – Find the BPM of a song you want to learn.
• Guitar Tuner – Get in tune before you start your practice routine.
• Circle of Fifths – Learn key signatures to practice your scales.