BPM stands for Beats Per Minute, which measures tempo - the speed of music. A metronome set to 60 BPM produces one click per second. 120 BPM means two clicks per second.

BPM is measured by counting the number of beats that occur in one minute. You can use tap tempo to measure the BPM of any music by tapping along with the beat - the metronome calculates the time between your taps and displays the tempo.

Italian tempo markings indicate approximate speed ranges and musical character. Common markings include:

Largo (40-60 BPM): Very slow and broad
Adagio (66-76 BPM): Slow and expressive
Andante (76-108 BPM): Walking pace
Moderato (108-120 BPM): Moderate speed
Allegro (120-168 BPM): Fast and lively
Presto (168-200 BPM): Very fast

These are guidelines, not strict rules. Interpretation varies by era, piece, and performer. A Beethoven Allegro might be different from a Bach Allegro.

A time signature is two numbers at the beginning of music that tell you how the beat is organized:

- Top number: How many beats are in each measure
- Bottom number: What note value equals one beat (4 = quarter note, 8 = eighth note)

For example, 4/4 means four quarter-note beats per measure (the most common time signature). 3/4 is waltz time with three beats per measure. 6/8 means six eighth-note beats, usually felt as two groups of three.

Subdivisions divide each beat into smaller parts:

- Quarter notes: One click per beat
- Eighth notes: Two clicks per beat (counted "1 and 2 and")
- Sixteenth notes: Four clicks per beat ("1 e and a 2 e and a")
- Triplets: Three clicks per beat

Using subdivisions helps you internalize the beat more deeply, improves timing accuracy, and helps you understand exactly where notes fall within each beat. They're especially useful for practicing passages with complex rhythms.

Start at a tempo where you can play perfectly - even if that's very slow (40-60 BPM). The goal is to build correct muscle memory, not to impress yourself with speed.

Once you can play a passage three times perfectly at a given tempo, increase by only 2-5 BPM. This deliberate, incremental approach builds speed more effectively than practicing fast with mistakes.

If accuracy drops at a new tempo, go back and consolidate at the previous speed before trying again.

Not always, but regularly. Use the metronome for technical exercises, learning new pieces, and working on timing problems. Also practice without it to develop your internal sense of time and musical expression.

A good approach is to learn passages with the metronome, then turn it off to check if you can maintain the tempo independently. The goal is to internalize the beat, not to become dependent on external cues.

For expressive pieces with rubato (tempo flexibility), learn the structure with a metronome first, then practice your intended tempo variations deliberately.

The tempo trainer gradually increases the metronome speed over time. You set a starting BPM, target BPM, and duration. The tempo automatically increases throughout your practice session.

This is useful for building speed safely - the gradual increase allows your muscles to adapt without developing tension or making errors that come from sudden tempo jumps.

Example: Set start BPM to 80, target BPM to 120, duration to 10 minutes. The metronome will slowly increase by 4 BPM each minute.

Muted beats is a training technique where the metronome periodically goes silent, forcing you to maintain tempo internally. The metronome plays for a set number of bars, then goes silent for a set number of bars, repeating this pattern.

How to use it:

1. Start with 4 bars click, 1 bar silent
2. As you improve, increase silent bars (4:2, 4:4, 4:8)
3. Goal: stay perfectly in time when the click returns

This develops your internal clock - the ability to maintain tempo without external reference. It's how professional musicians develop rock-solid timing.

Tap tempo allows you to set the metronome speed by tapping a button in rhythm with the music you want to match:

1. Click the "Tap Tempo" button (or press T on your keyboard)
2. Tap at least 3-4 times in steady rhythm
3. The metronome calculates the average time between taps and sets that tempo

This is useful for matching a recording, finding the tempo of a song in your head, or quickly setting the tempo for a piece you're about to practice.

Mobile browsers require user interaction before playing audio. Make sure you're tapping the "Start" button rather than expecting automatic playback.

Also check that:

- Your phone isn't on silent/vibrate mode
- Volume is turned up
- Browser permissions allow audio playback
- You're using a recent browser version (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)

Some phones have separate media and ringer volumes - make sure media volume is up.

Yes, for practical purposes. Metronomely uses the Web Audio API, which provides sample-accurate timing. Any variations are measured in microseconds - far below the threshold of human perception.

The main timing consideration is audio latency (the delay between when a sound is triggered and when you hear it). This is typically 10-50ms on modern devices - consistent enough that it doesn't affect practice.

For professional recording with click tracks, dedicated hardware is sometimes preferred, but for practice purposes, the online metronome is more than accurate enough.

Metronomely offers three click sound options:

Click: A clean, electronic click - the most common and neutral option
Wood Block: A warmer, acoustic sound some find less fatiguing
Drum: A snare-like sound useful for drummers or those wanting a more musical feel

Choose whichever sound you find easiest to play along with. Many musicians prefer different sounds for different practice contexts.

Metronomely supports keyboard shortcuts for quick control:

Space: Play/Stop the metronome
Up Arrow: Increase BPM by 1
Down Arrow: Decrease BPM by 1
T: Tap tempo
F: Toggle fullscreen mode
1-9: Load songs from your setlist

The setlist feature lets you save tempo and time signature settings for quick recall:

1. Set your desired BPM and time signature
2. Optionally enter a song name
3. Click "Save Current Settings"

Your setlist is saved in your browser's local storage, so it persists between sessions. You can load songs by clicking them or pressing number keys 1-9.

Use Export to save your setlist as a file, and Import to load a previously exported setlist.

Both have six eighth notes per measure, but they're felt differently:

3/4: Three quarter-note beats per measure. Counted "1-2-3, 1-2-3" with equal emphasis. Think of a waltz - the first beat is strong.

6/8: Six eighth-note beats, but usually felt as two groups of three. Counted "1-2-3-4-5-6" or "1-and-a-2-and-a" with emphasis on 1 and 4. Has a rolling, compound feel.

In Metronomely, set time signature to 3/4 or 6/8 and listen to how the accents change the feel.

An accent is a louder click on the first beat of each measure. It helps you hear where the measure begins, making it easier to keep your place in the music.

The accent creates the sense of "downbeat" that organizes music into phrases. In 4/4, the accented beat 1 gives structure to the pattern.

You can toggle the accent on or off in the settings. Some musicians prefer no accent when working on even, unaccented playing; others always use it for orientation.

Odd time signatures like 5/4 or 7/8 don't divide evenly into 2s or 3s, creating asymmetric feels:

5/4: Often felt as 3+2 or 2+3. Count "1-2-3-1-2" or "1-2-1-2-3"
7/8: Often felt as 2+2+3, 3+2+2, or 2+3+2. The grouping affects the feel.

Practice approach:

1. Start very slow (50-60 BPM)
2. Speak the grouping while clapping ("1-2-3-1-2")
3. Once comfortable, add your instrument
4. Gradually increase tempo

Famous examples: "Take Five" (5/4), "Money" by Pink Floyd (7/4).

You're practicing too fast if:

- You're making mistakes (even small ones)
- Your body feels tense
- You can't hear every note clearly
- Your timing becomes inconsistent

The upper limit of useful metronome practice is around 200 BPM for most musicians. Above that, the clicks blur together. For very fast music, practice at half tempo with subdivisions.

Remember: practicing slowly and correctly is always more valuable than practicing fast with errors.