Metronome

Welcome to my free Metronome online that does not use FLASH and features a few different drum and percussion sounds with user adjustable speeds. For best results use the metronome with Chrome desktop browser.

What is a metronome?

A Metronome is a timer machine that provides a constant tick or sound at a user defined tempo. Metronomes are used by many guitarists to improve their speed and accuracy. Practicing with a metronome will improve your timing. It's also fun to see how fast you can play in time. You can adjust the tempo up to 1000 BPM (beats per minute). You can also pop it out into it's own little window so you can better see the TABs, rhythms or music you are working on behind it. Feel free to use the embed code to embed it on your page too.

How to use a Metronome

There are a few different ways you can use a metronome to improve your timing. I'll list a couple below.

Playing on the beat

You can use the metronome to learn how to play at certain speeds (tempo). To do this select a moderately paced tempo to begin with and play a note on your instrument for every beat of the metronome. Gradually increase the tempo as you play. Find the tempo at which you have trouble keeping up with. Don't pass this tempo until you can keep up. While it may seem a little too much like mindless self indulgence to play along with a constant tick, people claim that it is well worth the effort.

Playing inside the beats

Another way to use a metronome is to play inside the beats. For example you can use the constant tick of a metronome to study triplets. To study triplets you would play three notes for every beat of the metronome. You can use this technique to play any group of notes inside of a beat. The key here is that you must finish your group of notes before the next tick of the metronome.

A drummer vs a metronome

I want to tell you that I think using a metronome is not the only way you should be practicing your timing. Why? Because you also need to practice with a real drummer to get that human feel. Music is all about feel and you can't get that with a machine. There is no substitute for practicing with another human and learning to stay in time! So get together with that crazy friend of yours who plays the drums!

The drawbacks of using an online Metronome and troubleshooting sound

Depending on what you use to access the web there may be some drawbacks to using online sound tools including my metronome. The reason is, it uses the Web Audio API to produce the sounds. Web Audio is a reliable way to program sound accurately on the web without the use of plugins. However some devices may have problems producing sound correctly. You may experience glitches and sound sputters on certain devices. Some devices may not work at all.

Possible ways to fix sound problems

I have had the best results using Chrome, Firefox on Apple phones (and Safari on Apple) as well as and Android phones, tablets and computers. Good results may vary because all devices act differently. So, if you experience any problems with the sounds there are some things you can do.

1. Try viewing this page using a different browser and possibly even another computer/device.
2. Make sure your device operating system is up to date with the latest updates or versions.
3. Sometimes simply restarting your browser can work to resolve sound issues.

One of the above fixes is bound to work but if you absolutely cannot find a device you can use to play the online metronome, you might have to buy a real one from the store or use one that comes with your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

What do you think?

I would really like to know how this metronome works for you. Please tell me the problems you have with it or whatever you feel like saying by contacting me. Also, if you are a programmer looking for a job and have experience with the Web Audio API I would really like to talk to you about this project and some others I have in mind.