Set the tempo
Drag the slider, tap ±, or click the BPM number and type 40–208. You can also use ↑↓. For slow practice, start around 50–70 BPM.
Violin rhythm tool
Free Violin Metronome
A free online metronome for violin practice: 40–208 BPM, 9 time signatures, 8 subdivisions and 7 click sounds, plus tempo suggestions for scales, bowing, vibrato and double stops.
No microphone and no audio upload. Tempo, meter, subdivision, sound and accents are saved on this device.
Violin metronome
Set the tempo, choose a time signature and subdivision, then press start. The first beat is accented by default; Space starts or stops and ↑↓ changes BPM.
The link carries the current tempo, meter, subdivision, sound and accents.
How do I use the violin metronome?
Choose meter and subdivision
4/4 is the most common; 3/4 suits waltzes; 6/8 is compound. Pick triplets, dotted or syncopated patterns under Subdivision.
Start playing
Press Start or Space. Listen for two bars, count 1-2-3-4, then join with the violin.
What do BPM and tempo terms mean?
BPM means beats per minute. A higher number means more clicks per minute.
- 60 BPM = one beat per second; 120 BPM = one beat every 0.5 seconds.
- Start a new passage at 50–70; after two clean repetitions with relaxed shoulders, add 3–5 BPM.
- 40 is the slow-practice floor; 208 covers Prestissimo. Beyond that, the violin can hardly articulate every note.
Tempo terms
| Tempo term | BPM | Feel / use |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | 40–59 | Very slow and broad; good for long notes and slow practice. |
| Larghetto | 60–65 | A little more flowing than Largo. |
| Adagio | 66–75 | Slow and unhurried; good for phrasing and tone. |
| Andante | 76–107 | Walking pace; the most common practice tempo. |
| Moderato | 108–119 | Medium tempo; phrases start to move forward. |
| Allegro | 120–155 | Fast and bright; common for scales and studies. |
| Vivace | 156–175 | Lively and energetic. |
| Presto | 176–199 | Very fast; get it clean first, then add speed. |
| Prestissimo | 200–208 | As fast as possible; only for passages you already know well. |
Tempo-term ranges differ between editions; this page uses the non-overlapping ranges above. They are practice guides, not absolute tempo markings.
How do I choose a time signature? 9 meters compared
The time signature decides how many beats are in a bar, which note value counts as one beat, and where the accents fall. Practise in the meter printed in the score; don't treat every piece as 4/4.
| Meter | Per bar | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2/4 | 2 beats | Marches and polkas; accent on beat 1. |
| 3/4 | 3 beats | Waltzes and minuets; accent on beat 1. |
| 4/4 | 4 beats | The most common; accent on beat 1, a lighter accent on beat 3. |
| 2/2 | 2 beats (half notes) | Cut time; marches and fast orchestral passages. |
| 3/2 | 3 beats (half notes) | Early music and variations; usually a broad tempo. |
| 3/8 | 3 beats (eighth notes) | Strong dance feel; often felt as one large beat. |
| 6/8 | 6 beats (eighth notes) | Compound duple; accents often on beats 1 and 4. |
| 3/16 | 3 beats (sixteenth notes) | Rare; modern works and studies. |
| 6/16 | 6 beats (sixteenth notes) | Rare; compound; accents often on beats 1 and 4. |
In this tool 6/8 runs as six beats, not two large beats. To practise the two-beat feel, put accents on 1 and 4 and count two large beats in your head.
How do I practise subdivisions? 8 rhythm patterns
Subdivisions add smaller clicks between the main beats. Choose triplets for a triplet metronome, dotted for a dotted metronome, or syncopation for a syncopated one. Start slowly, count the grid, then remove the extra clicks and keep only the beat.
| Subdivision | Placement | What it trains |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter | One click per beat | The basic pulse; learn to land every beat. |
| Eighth | Two clicks per beat | Even bow distribution and continuous détaché. |
| Offbeat | Only the second half | Offbeat bow starts and entering on the “and”. |
| Triplet | Three clicks per beat | Three equal notes per bow; don't accent the middle note. |
| Sixteenth | Four clicks per beat | Fast détaché and string changes; slow first. |
| Dotted | Long–short | Dotted rhythms and the “grip” of martelé or spiccato. |
| Reverse dotted | Short–long | Reverse dotted figures; short attack then a long note. |
| Syncopation | Short–long–short | Displaced accents; don't let the bow always land on the beat. |
Don't turn on every subdivision at once. Pick one, practise until it locks with the beat, then move to the next.
What tempos should I use for violin scales, bowing, vibrato and double stops?
The numbers below are practice suggestions, not exam requirements. Choose a tempo you can play relaxed and cleanly; if speed won't come, the movement is usually not settled yet.
| Exercise | Suggested BPM | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Scales/arpeggios (1 octave) | 60–76 | One note per beat; after two clean repetitions, add 4 BPM. |
| Scales/arpeggios (2 octaves) | 52–66 | Leave time for shifts and string changes; don't hide intonation with speed. |
| Full bow | 50–60 | Four beats per bow; even bow speed and pressure; breathe before the bow change. |
| Half bow | 60–72 | Two beats per bow; practise upper and lower half separately. |
| Détaché | 72–92 | One beat per bow; start in the middle, keep the wrist loose. |
| Vibrato | 40–60 | 4–6 pulses per beat; even first, then faster; don't press. |
| Double stops (thirds/sixths/octaves) | 50–66 | Listen for a clean double stop before adding speed; intonation first. |
| Study/piece passage | 50–70% of target | Add 3–5 BPM only after two clean repetitions with relaxed shoulders. |
The tempo table is a starting point, not a target. Adding 3–5 BPM at a time is steadier than jumping 20 BPM.
Which of the 7 click sounds should I use?
The sound is not decoration; the right click stays clear without covering the violin.
| Sound | Best for |
|---|---|
| Electronic | Clear and penetrating; easy to hear in ensemble or recording. |
| Woodblock | Short wooden click; masks the violin least; the default for daily practice. |
| Bell | Bright ring; makes the beat easy to grab in slow practice. |
| Tick | Dry mechanical click; traditional and clean. |
| Cowbell | Metallic and penetrating; good for louder passages. |
| Marimba | Soft wooden tone; comfortable for long sessions. |
| Kick | Low pulse; good for feeling the groove, but can blur with the G/D strings. |
For violin practice, start with woodblock or tick. If the click is hard to hear, change the sound first, then the system volume.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use the violin metronome?
Set the BPM, choose a meter, subdivision and sound, then press Start or Space. The first beat is accented by default; ↑↓ fine-tunes the tempo.
What does BPM mean? Is 60 BPM one beat per second?
BPM means beats per minute. 60 BPM is exactly one beat per second; 120 BPM is one beat every 0.5 seconds.
What tempo should a beginner start at?
Start a new passage at 50–70; scales can start at 60. After two clean repetitions with relaxed shoulders, add 3–5 BPM.
How do I choose 4/4, 3/4 or 6/8?
4/4 is the most common; 3/4 suits waltzes and minuets; 6/8 is compound duple with accents usually on beats 1 and 4. Follow the meter in the score.
How do I count 6/8 and set the metronome?
This tool runs 6/8 as six beats: count 1-2-3-4-5-6, or feel 1-la-li 2-la-li. Put accents on 1 and 4 and think of two large beats.
How do I practise triplets with a metronome?
Choose Triplet under Subdivision; each beat gets three clicks. At first make the three notes equal and don't accent the middle one; add speed only when it is stable.
How do I practise dotted and syncopated rhythms?
Dotted is long–short; syncopation is short–long–short. Turn on the subdivision, count the grid, then gradually remove the extra clicks and keep the beat.
What tempos should I use for scales, bowing, vibrato and double stops?
Scales 60–76, full bow 50–60, détaché 72–92, vibrato 40–60, double stops 50–66. Adjust to the student and the piece; the table is a practice guide.
What if I can't hear the metronome?
Try woodblock, tick or bell, then raise the system volume. Kick can blur with the low G/D strings, so use it sparingly for violin practice.
Does it work on a phone? Do I need to download anything?
Yes — it runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers. No download or installation is needed.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
It is free and needs no account. Tempo, meter, subdivision and other settings stay on this device and are not uploaded.
What's the difference between a metronome and a tuner?
A metronome controls time and rhythm; a tuner controls pitch. Tune the open strings first, then use the metronome for rhythm.
Why is the tempo range 40–208?
40 is the lower limit for slow violin practice; slower bows are hard to sustain. 208 covers Prestissimo; beyond that it is hard to articulate every note.
Is the metronome accurate? Will it speed up or slow down?
In normal practice the beat should not drift. If the browser puts the page in the background, the page stops; return and press Start again.