Using a Metronome

Lesson 14/53 | Study Time: 5 Min
Course: Beginner Guitar
Using a Metronome

Using a Metronome

A metronome is a device that plays a continuous beat. It is used to help control your timing so that you do not rush or slow down. The beat is heard as a ticking or beeping sound and the speed can be adjusted. The speed of the beat, which is called the tempo, is measured in beats per minute (BPM).

The accompanying photo shows a mechanical metronome and an electronic metronome.

Music is commonly written with a tempo mark to indicate what speed the piece should be played. For example, 60 BPM is represented as 3 = 60. If learning a piece at the written tempo is difficult, try lowering the BPM of the metronome (slowing it down) until you can play evenly and in time. Then gradually speed up the metronome until you can play it at the correct speed.

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