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metronome

Online Metronome

Your free metronome to practice in rhythm!

Tempo Correspondence Table

Italian English Beats per Minute
Larghissimo Very broad 20 – 40
Largo Broad 40 – 60
Lento Slow 52 – 68
Adagio At ease 60 – 80
Andante Flowing 76 – 100
Moderato Moderate 88 – 112
Allegretto Slightly lively 100 – 128
Allegro Lively (cheerful) 112 – 160
Vivace Fast ~ 140
Presto Hurried, Fast 140 – 200
Prestissimo Very fast > 188

How to use this metronome

Enjoy a free online metronome, intuitive and easy to use: set the tempo between 20 and 260 BPM using the slider, according to the corresponding tempo indication (Adagio, Moderato, Allegro, Presto…) and click play. You can also set the tempo by tapping the desired rhythm on the TAP button.

If needed, you can adjust the number of beats per measure and choose to accentuate the first beat to help you stay on track. Another option lets you adjust the beat subdivision (for example in eighth notes, sixteenth notes, triplets, or shuffle). A timer is also available to support your practice sessions.

This tool is compatible with all browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Explorer…). It is also accessible in your imusic-school course space, to support your lessons and exercises, and can be downloaded for free.

Download the metronome app on your smartphone

Get it on google play
Download on the App Store

Discover all our online tools for musicians

Discover them on this site or in the imusic-school course area. You can also download the app to have them all on your smartphone.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a metronome?

A metronome is a tool that allows you to mark a given rhythmic pulse. This rhythmic indication can be made in a sound, visual, and/or tactile way.

It can be mechanical (also called classical), electronic (also called digital), or app-based (also called online). It is set according to the desired tempo, indicated in bpm (beats per minute). The device often shows bpm ranges corresponding to classical music tempo markings: allegro, moderato, etc.

This tool is most often used by musicians to study a musical work, to work on the regularity and control of a musical instrument, and to work on group synchronization (like a conductor on the purely rhythmic part). But it can also be used in other activities such as sports.

Some devices offer additional features like a tuning fork or the ability to work with rhythmic loops.

Individually

Beginner or amateur musicians tend to want to play too fast. Often, they also slow down on difficult passages and speed up on easier or more lively parts. In short, they do not fully control what they are doing.

It is essential for a musician to practice with a metronome to gain both regularity and control over their fingers and instrument.

For a group

The benefit of working with a click track is also real when playing in a group. If the drummer is not consistent, it becomes difficult for all musicians to play together, and the performance will sound amateurish and uncontrolled. It is a necessary step to reach a professional level.

For groups, whether composing or covering songs, the metronome also helps ensure the correct tempo for each piece. Because depending on the drummer’s mood and initial intention, it is easy to play too fast or bore the audience. Choosing the right tempo for each piece is therefore important in general, or depending on the planned set and the atmosphere intended for the upcoming concert.

The classic or mechanical metronome is generally used in a stationary way, placed, for example, on a piece of furniture or on your piano. It can also serve as a decorative object, especially if it’s a wooden model. The Wittner Piccolo is used by many musicians.

Its digital or electronic version is more portable, fitting in a trumpet or violin case, for example, or worn on the wrist for touchscreen models. The Seiko SQ-60 is very popular and reliable. The Soundbrenner Pulse is a well-known choice among tactile metronomes.

Online tools are available on your smartphone either through your web browser or by downloading an app.

You can enjoy free applicative or online metronomes, like the one from imusic-school.

You can purchase an electronic device for an amount between 10 and 100 dollars. The Seiko SG-60 is a good compromise, costing around 30 dollars.

The classic pendulum version costs between 25 and 200 dollars. The Wiitner Piccolo, often recommended by teachers and schools, costs around 50 euros. But if you want a nice decorative object, expect to pay around 200 dollars.

Touch devices, in the form of wristwatches developed by Soundbrenner, cost between 100 and 350 dollars.

Personal practice

The metronome should not be used systematically. It should be reserved for specific practice sessions dedicated to study, regularity, and technical mastery.

For example, it is often used to practice scales or arpeggios. It is also used, after the sight-reading phase, to fully master the studied piece. Afterwards, there can be more room for musicality in interpretation or swing.

In terms of method, start at a slower tempo than the target. Often, you can start at half the BPM. For example, for a piece at 120 bpm, you can begin working at 60 bpm. Then increase the tempo between practice phases. No need to go through every BPM; you can increase in increments of 20 bpm, so in this example: 60-80-100-120.

Group practice with the click

For music groups that have never worked with a click, it is recommended to first play the click together through the speakers so everyone can hear their own mistakes. Then, the drummer will have the click via headphones or in-ear monitors, and the other musicians should lock in with the bass drum. After that, it’s up to you. Some groups reserve the click for rehearsal sessions only, others use it on stage.

Of course, each musician is encouraged to practice alone as well.