Piano Metronome
Steady tempo for scales, arpeggios, and pieces.
Metronome Practice for Piano
Consistent use of a metronome is one of the fastest ways to improve piano technique. It prevents the common habit of slowing down on difficult passages while rushing through easy ones. Start well below your target tempo, and only increase once you can play three consecutive times without errors.
Common Piano Practice Tempos
Beginner scales: 60 BPM. Intermediate scales: 80–100 BPM. Advanced: 120+ BPM. Hanon exercises: 60–120 BPM. Chopin nocturnes: 50–80 BPM. Beethoven sonatas (first movements): 80–120 BPM depending on the piece. Use the tap tempo feature to find the BPM of any recording.
Frequently Asked Questions
What metronome tempo should I use for piano scales?
Begin scales at 60 BPM, hands separately. Once clean at that tempo, increase by 8 BPM. Most pianists aim for 120 BPM for major scales. Technical exercises like Hanon or Czerny studies typically start around 60–80 BPM.
Should I practice piano with or without a metronome?
With a metronome for technical practice — scales, arpeggios, exercises, and sight-reading. Without it occasionally for expressive pieces where rubato (flexible tempo) is part of the style. Learning to play expressively requires first learning to play in time.
Why is 3/4 time the default for this piano metronome?
Many piano repertoire pieces — waltzes, minuets, and much Classical-era music — use 3/4 time. This metronome defaults to 3 beats per measure, but you can switch to 4/4, 2/4, or any other signature using the beats control.