Tempo marks the speed of music, measured in beats per minute (BPM). A metronome emits evenly spaced clicks that musicians follow to maintain consistent pulse, refine timing and internalise rhythmic subdivisions, especially during isolated practice away from an ensemble. Accurate tempo control underpins clean articulations, confident transitions and reliable ensemble synchronization.
Tempo Generator / Metronome lets you dial any BPM, tap a tempo, or choose presets, then shapes the click with beat accents, swing percentages, subdivisions and progressive increments. A browser-based audio engine renders sample-accurate blips while a lightweight charting layer visualises pulses, giving immediate auditory and visual cues so you can lock to the grid.
Practise a tricky sixteenth-note passage at 60 BPM, enable the auto-tempo trainer to add two BPM every eight bars, and feel your fingers adapt gradually. Drummers can inject swing for shuffled grooves, while vocalists stay centered on pitch by aligning breath with the glowing pulse. Guitarists can accent downbeats to cement strumming patterns and avoid rushing.
A metronome transforms a chosen tempo into discrete time intervals. Each beat’s duration equals 60 ÷ BPM seconds and can be divided into smaller rhythmic units. Optional swing offsets every second subdivision by a selectable fraction of that base interval, producing a lilting feel. Bar-initial accents emphasise meter, and controlled tempo increments cultivate endurance. Visual pulse feedback strengthens sensorimotor coupling for precise corrective action.
Δt is the interval between clicks; n is the subdivision level (1 = quarter-notes, 2 = eighths, 4 = sixteenths). Swing multiplies every second Δt by 1 + s, where s is the swing ratio.
| Marking | BPM Range | Common Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | 40 – 60 | Very slow, solemn |
| Andante | 70 – 90 | Walking pace |
| Moderato | 95 – 115 | Moderate |
| Allegro | 120 – 160 | Fast, bright |
| Presto | 168 – 200+ | Very fast |
Use these ranges as contextual guides; stylistic choices and ensemble genre may demand departures.
| Parameter | Meaning | Unit / Range |
|---|---|---|
| BPM | Tempo setting | 20 – 400 |
| beatsPerBar | Meter length | 1 – 12 |
| subdivLevel | Note division depth | 1, 2, 4 |
| swing | Swing percentage | 0 – 70 % |
| autoInc / autoBars | Trainer increment / period | ±BPM per bars |
At BPM = 120 with subdivision n = 2:
Each eighth-note click arrives every 0.25 s. A swing of 30 % lengthens the off-beat to 0.325 s and shortens the on-beat to 0.175 s.
Timing perception research: Repp & Su (2013); sensorimotor synchronization studies: Repp (2005); recommended tempo benchmarks: London (2012).
No personal data leaves the browser; processing occurs entirely client-side, aligning with GDPR principles for local execution.
Follow these steps to build an effective practice routine.
No. All settings stay in the page URL or local memory and never reach a server.
Older devices introduce unpredictable audio latency; switch to a modern browser or reduce background tasks for best timing.
It shifts the off-beat later by the specified fraction of the base interval, creating a relaxed shuffle feel.
The volume slider controls master gain from silent to unity; no amplification beyond device limits occurs.
Copy the page URL after adjusting settings; all parameters persist in the query string for instant recall.