Piano Metronome: Free Online Practice Tool for Pianists
Free online piano metronome with adjustable tempo for scales, arpeggios, and sight-reading. Includes BPM guides for classical pieces.
Master your piano technique with a metronome designed for keyboard practice. Whether you're working on Hanon exercises, Czerny studies, or preparing for a recital, steady timing is the foundation of musical excellence.
Online Metronome
Keep perfect time with a precise digital metronome
Why Pianists Need a Metronome
Piano is unique among instruments: you control multiple voices simultaneously with both hands operating independently. This complexity makes rhythmic precision even more critical.
Common Piano Timing Problems
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing during difficult passages | Anxiety, muscle tension | Practice slowly (50% target tempo) until relaxed |
| Dragging on left hand accompaniment | Focusing too much on melody | Practice left hand alone with metronome |
| Uneven scales and arpeggios | Weak 4th finger, thumb crossing | Accent patterns with metronome (every 4th note) |
| Losing pulse during rests | Not counting internally | Set metronome to subdivide (8th notes) |
Recommended Practice Tempos
Technical Exercises
| Exercise | Beginner BPM | Intermediate | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanon exercises | 60-80 | 80-108 | 108-144 |
| Major/Minor scales | 60-72 | 72-100 | 100-144 |
| Arpeggios (4 octaves) | 50-66 | 66-88 | 88-120 |
| Chromatic scales | 60-80 | 80-112 | 112-152 |
| Contrary motion scales | 50-66 | 66-88 | 88-112 |
Classical Tempo Markings
When learning repertoire, use these traditional tempo ranges as a starting point:
| Marking | BPM Range | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | 40-60 | Chopin Prelude Op. 28 No. 4 |
| Adagio | 55-75 | Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt) |
| Andante | 73-90 | Mozart Sonata K.545 (2nd mvt) |
| Moderato | 90-115 | Debussy Clair de Lune |
| Allegretto | 100-128 | Fur Elise (main theme) |
| Allegro | 120-156 | Mozart Sonata K.545 (1st mvt) |
| Vivace | 140-176 | Bach Invention No. 1 |
| Presto | 168-200 | Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 4 |
Tip
Pro Tip: When learning a new piece, start at 50% of the target tempo. Increase by 5 BPM only after you can play the passage 3 times perfectly in a row.
Piano-Specific Practice Strategies
Hands Separate Practice
The most effective way to use a metronome for piano:
- Right hand alone at slow tempo (60 BPM) - focus on fingering
- Left hand alone at the same tempo - memorize the bass line
- Hands together at 50% slower tempo
- Gradually increase BPM once coordination is solid
The "Burst" Technique for Fast Passages
For technically demanding runs:
- Set metronome to your target tempo
- Play only the first 4 notes perfectly in time
- Pause (the metronome continues)
- Join back in on the next beat 1
- Gradually extend the "burst" to 8, 12, then 16 notes
Rhythmic Displacement Practice
Challenge your internal pulse:
- Click on beat 2 and 4 instead of 1 and 3 (jazz feel)
- Click only on beat 1 of each bar (tests your internal subdivision)
- Half-time click (metronome on beats 1 and 3 only)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Practicing Too Fast, Too Soon
Speed is a byproduct of accuracy. If you can't play it slowly without mistakes, you can't play it fast. The metronome will expose this immediately.
2. Ignoring the Left Hand
Right-hand melodies get all the attention, but left-hand rhythmic foundation is what makes or breaks a performance. Practice the left hand alone at least 30% of your metronome time.
3. Not Using Subdivision
For slow movements, set the metronome to click on 8th notes or 16th notes. A click every 2 seconds (30 BPM) doesn't give you enough feedback to stay precise.
4. Practicing Without Musical Intent
A metronome teaches timing, not musicality. Once a passage is technically secure, practice with rubato (flexible tempo) to develop expression. Then return to the metronome to check you haven't developed bad habits.
Practice Routine Example
Here's a 30-minute piano practice session using the metronome:
| Time | Activity | Metronome Setting |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 min | Hanon No. 1 (warm-up) | 72 BPM, 4/4 |
| 5-10 min | C Major scale (4 octaves) | 80 BPM, 4/4 |
| 10-15 min | New piece - RH alone | 50% target tempo |
| 15-20 min | New piece - LH alone | 50% target tempo |
| 20-25 min | New piece - hands together | 40% target tempo |
| 25-30 min | Review old repertoire | Performance tempo |
FAQ
Should I always practice with a metronome?
No. Use the metronome to build rhythmic accuracy, then turn it off to develop musicality and rubato. A good rule: 60% metronome practice, 40% musical expression.
My teacher says I have "bad rhythm." Will this help?
Absolutely. Consistent metronome practice for 4-6 weeks dramatically improves rhythmic awareness. Start with simple exercises before applying it to repertoire.
What's the best time signature for piano practice?
Most piano music is in 4/4 or 3/4. Set the metronome to match the piece. For compound meters (6/8, 9/8), set the metronome to click on dotted quarter notes.
How do I practice polyrhythms (3 against 2)?
Set the metronome to the common denominator. For 3:2, use 6 clicks per bar. Left hand plays on 1, 3, 5. Right hand plays on 1, 4. Practice hands separately first.
Related Tools
- Online Metronome - Full metronome with time signature options
- Tap Tempo Tool - Find the BPM of any piece
- Piano Frequencies Chart - Hz values for every piano key
- Interval Training - Develop relative pitch for sight-reading