Metronome & Groove Master
Acoustic precision and real-time rhythmic backing
BPM
How to use it
How to practice with a metronome
The metronome marks a fixed pulse measured in BPM, beats per minute. At 60 BPM, it clicks once per second, and at 120 BPM, twice.
It's not for playing fast. It's for playing evenly, with every change and every strum in its place.
Listen: one chord per beat
- C
- G
- Am
- F
A simple four-step method
- Step 1: Choose a tempo where you can play without a single mistake, even if it seems slow. 60 BPM is a good start.
- Step 2: Count aloud 1, 2, 3, 4. Make the first beat coincide with the chord change or the downstroke.
- Step 3: Repeat four times in a row without failing and only increase by 4 BPM. If you fail, decrease by 8 BPM and start again.
- Step 4: End each session a few BPM below your limit. This way, the correct movement becomes automatic.
Tempo references
The Italian terms in sheet music give approximate ranges, not exact figures. These are the most commonly used.
- Largo, between 40 and 60 BPM.
- Andante, between 76 and 108 BPM.
- Moderato, between 108 and 120 BPM.
- Allegro, between 120 and 168 BPM.
- A ballad usually ranges between 60 and 80 BPM, the Ecuadorian pasillo around 90, and acoustic pop between 90 and 110.
Common mistakes
- Speeding up on easy parts and slowing down on difficult changes. The click immediately shows you this.
- Looking at the metronome instead of listening to it. Close your eyes for a few measures and check if you're still with it.
- Raising the tempo out of impatience. Ten minutes at a controlled tempo are worth more than an hour of repeated mistakes.
Subdivide the beat
If a tempo feels too slow to play evenly, subdivide the pulse. Count 1 and 2 and internally, or set the metronome to mark each eighth note.
Subdividing helps you place strums and off-beat notes correctly. It's very useful in slow ballads and in 6/8 time signatures.
Check yourself
If the metronome is set to 60 BPM, how many clicks does it make in one minute?