Metronome Online

Turn Yourself Into an Insanely Awesome Rhythm Machine

Howdy! Want to master that in-the-pocket groove? This free online metronome is your secret weapon! Whether you’re learning to play guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, or any instrument, keeping perfect time is essential.

This free online metronome is here to help you master this important skill. It’s common for beginner musicians to rush ahead of the beat and struggle with timing, but using a metronome will help you avoid this messy mistake.

By regularly practicing with the steady beat of this metronome, you’ll improve your timing and sense of rhythm massively. Go, team you! 🙌

What is a metronome?

A metronome is like a speedometer for music. It produces a regular click or beat, allowing you to practice at a specific speed (aka tempo) measured in BPM.

A metronome helps you play in time, find a song’s tempo, monitor your progress on your instrument, and keep your music practice sessions less boring and more focused and fun.

What does BPM mean?

In music, we use a term called BPM to measure tempo, which means “beats per minute.” Set the metronome to 85 BPM, and the metronome will click 80 times in one minute. At 70 BPM, you’ll hear 70 clicks per minute, and so on.

When the BPM is faster (e.g., 130 BPM), you will hear more clicks, and the music will sound faster. On the other hand, when the BPM is slower (e.g., 50 BPM), you will hear fewer clicks and the music will sound slower.

👉📚 Play guitar and need to brush up on your basic music theory? Grab yourself a copy of Easy Peasy Guitar Music Theory: for Beginners and kick confusion into touch.

Metronome instructions

🎧 Tempo

Decide what tempo (speed) you want to play along to (see how to use a metronome below for exercise ideas) then click on the red circle and drag to the left to decrease the tempo (lower BPM) and to the right to increase the tempo (higher BPM).

🎧 Time Signature / Subdivision

On the metronome, you can switch between popular time signatures like 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, and more. Simply click the left box above the red arch and choose from the drop-down menu. (See below: What is a time signature?).

🎧 Accent

When in the “Accent On” position, the right button above the red arch makes the first beat of each measure (aka bar) sound higher-pitched. Think of it like a helpful tap on the shoulder saying, “Hey, new measure starting!”

Why turn the accent on?

It makes it super clear where each measure begins, helping you stay on track.
It helps you develop a sense of timing; instead of randomly starting to play your instrument, you come in at the start of the measure.

Why turn the accent off?

Sometimes, you want all the beats to sound the same. This can be helpful for:

Practicing certain styles of music with more complex rhythms.
If you’re new to using a metronome, it’s important to start by getting comfortable with the basic idea of playing in time. In this case, turning the accents off is a good move.

How to use a metronome

There are many ways you can use a metronome to help you improve your skills as a musician, whether you’re a beginner hobby guitar player or an experienced gigging drummer wanting to keep your chops sharp.

Let’s look at some examples of the best way to use a metronome:

Set the tempo: Start slow, around 60 beats per minute (BPM). This is a comfortable speed to focus on technique without rushing.
Choose your exercise: Let’s use the minor pentatonic scale in root position 1 as an example. This is a great way to practice finger movement and fretting.
Practice with the metronome: Play the scale slowly and smoothly, making sure each note lines up with the click. Aim for 60 seconds of clean, buzz-free playing. Repeat the intervals 5 times.
(👉 Pro Tip: always record yourself on your device of choice so you can listen back to hear what sounds good and where you need to improve. You can only improve what you are aware of.)
Gradually increase the tempo: Once you feel comfortable at 60 BPM, bump it up by 5 BPM (e.g., 65 BPM). Repeat the 60-second practice interval 5 times at this new speed.
Don’t increase the speed too much: Continue raising the tempo by 5 BPM increments only if your playing is consistently accurate.
Speed will be the natural by-product of a solid technique, timing, and feel. Focus on these musical skills primarily to become a great musician and play your favorite songs with ease.

Other metronome exercises to try:

Chromatic scales: Improve finger dexterity and fretboard knowledge.
Arpeggios: Master chords and chord voicings.
Rhythm drills: Practice syncopation and rhythmic variations.

Remember, consistency is key! Regular practice with a metronome will dramatically improve your timing, technique, and overall playing skills.

What is a time signature?

Time signatures are like instructions in sheet music that tell you how to count the rhythm. They use two numbers stacked on top of each other, like a fraction:

4/4

Top number: The top number in a time signature tells you how many beats are in each measure (bar), which is a section of music.
Bottom number: The lower number in a time signature tells you what kind of note rhythm value each beat is played in.

Here are some common time signatures:

4/4 Time signature aka common time (four-four)

Often referred to as “common time,” the 4/4 time signature is the most widely used in Western music.

In 4/4 timing, there are four beats in each measure, each corresponding to a quarter note (aka crotchet). Think of it like counting 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4.

3/4 Time signature (three-four)

When you see a 3/4 time signature, it means there are three beats in each bar, and each beat is a quarter note long.

So, in 3/4 timing, you count “1-2-3” for every measure. This timing is often used in waltzes, giving the music a flowing, bouncy rhythm

2/4 Time signature (two-four)

A 2/4 time signature means there are two beats in each measure, and each beat is a quarter note in length.

This means you count “1-2” for each measure, with each count representing a quarter note. 2/4 timing is often used in quick-paced music, such as marches, polkas, and some classical music.

7/8 Time signature (seven-eight)

A 7/8 time signature means there are seven beats in each measure, and each beat is an eighth note (aka quaver). You count it as “1-2-3-4-5-6-7.”

7/8 timing is usually divided into patterns like “1-2, 1-2, 1-2-3” to make it easier to follow. This timing is known for its unique and irregular feel, often found in progressive rock and some classical compositions.

12/8 Time signature (seven-eight)

The 12/8 time signature means there are twelve beats in each bar of music, each beat lasting an eighth note.

You count 12/8 timing as “1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12,” typically grouped in sets of three (like “1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3”). This gives the music a smooth, rolling feel, and is commonly used in blues, jazz, and some ballads.