This digital metronome is a great choice if you’re practicing on your own, or want to stay on beat without disturbing those around you.
#METRONOME 120 PORTABLE#
PROS: Portable size easy to read, hear and see the beat.ĬONS: The red indicator light can’t be turned off, so some may find that distracting. This measures 5.1 x 3 inches and tucks easily into a bag or pouch if you need to take it to go. A built-in red LED light at the top blinks to the beat, letting you stay together without a clicking noise interrupting your practice or performance. The dial also includes Italian tempo terminology to help you set the right pace for your track, based on what you’re trying to express and the style of song you’re playing.Ĭhoose to turn up a clicking sound or turn it down. The dial offers 39 different positions, with marked intervals and tempo options ranging from 40 to 208 BPM. Set the tempo by turning the rotary dial. This quartz metronome is made from a lightweight plastic with a kick-out stand in the back. What better way to keep track of timing than with this unit from renowned watchmaker, Seiko? Though they’re best-known for their timepieces, Seiko has also been manufacturing accessories for musicians and instruments since the 1930s. This is the most common style of metronome and easy to learn and follow.ĬONS: At 9.5 x 4.8 inches, this is the largest size on our list. Wind it up from the side and the metronome can tick for an average of 20 minutes before needing to be wound up again. The metronome doesn’t require any batteries, and offers tempos from 40 to 208 BPM. The slider is easy to adjust to set the tempo, and four grippy legs on the bottom of the unit helps it stay stable on any flat surface (say, on top of your piano or on a nearby shelf). This is a traditional pyramid-style metronome that emits a clear, clicking sound. You can’t go wrong with this mechanical metronome from Tempi, which is made with genuine steel parts and finished with a handsome mahogany wood veneer over the plastic construction. Like a quartz metronome, it also has an indicator light that blinks to your desired tempo. The best digital metronomes even offer a range of different tempo cues, from clicks to electronic beeps to drum sounds too. You can change and adjust the desired tempo using a dial.ĭigital metronomes are the newest style of metronome, and are often more portable and discreet than the traditional wooden pyramid block. Quartz metronomes use blinking lights to signal the beat, though you can often choose an auditory cue as well. The pendulum swings left to right, similar to a windshield wiper, and the metronome emits a clicking sound each time the pendulum passes the center of the device. Mechanical metronomes have a pyramid-like shape, with a swinging pendulum down the middle. There are three main types of metronomes: mechanical, quartz and digital. What You Need to Know Before Buying a Metronome Most contemporary pop songs range between 60-90 BPM, while rock songs can go from 110-120 BPM. The way you set the beat will depend on the type of metronome you have, while the tempo will depend on the style of song you want to play.
Set the beat by sliding a marker scale down the pendulum, or by turning a dial to your desired tempo. Metronomes measure their pace in beats per minute, and most units can play beats from 35 to 250 BPM. Some metronomes use an LED indicator light to signal the beat, while others provide a beep or clicking sound, when it doesn’t have a physical pendulum. Most metronomes work in two ways: you can follow the metronome audibly (by listening for the ticking sound it makes), or you can follow it visually, by watching the pendulum swing past a center point. Metronomes are also great for helping performers develop better agility and preciseness while singing or playing. The visual cue helps people maintain their pace, even if their ears are focused on their instrument.
The best metronomes are a great way to introduce rhythm and to establish more accurate musical timing. Whether you’re a drummer, pianist, composer or conductor, a metronome is an essential tool during rehearsals and recordings to help set the timing, and to help everyone stay on tempo. If you want to stay on beat, you’re going to want to use a metronome. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.