2/4: two beats per bar
Count ONE–two, ONE–two. Set 60 BPM and play one note on each click. The first beat receives the accent; one complete 2/4 measure lasts two seconds at this tempo.
Find your tempo.
Keep your time.
Use the browser metronome while practising scales and chords. Tap a comfortable beat, select 2/4, 3/4 or 4/4, and speed up gradually as your timing improves.
How to practise with a metronome
Set a slow tempo of 60–80 BPM and play one note per click. Each click corresponds to a quarter note, including in 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4. When the notes feel comfortable, increase the tempo by five BPM.
The first beat of each measure sounds higher and is highlighted in the visual counter. Tap Tempo calculates a BPM estimate from your recent taps.
Timing and privacy
Clicks are scheduled in Web Audio a little ahead of time for more consistent timing than JavaScript timers alone. If you switch away from the tab, the metronome stops to avoid stale or unexpected playback.
The metronome is also embedded on the Virtual Piano page, so you can practise with both tools visible. No microphone, cookies, uploads or database are required.
A REAL PRACTICE ROUTINE
How to count 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 on piano
The denominator 4 means the quarter note normally gets one beat. The top number tells you how many of those beats are in each measure.
3/4: three beats per bar
Count ONE–two–three with the first beat accented. Try a C major chord on beat one and two lighter notes on beats two and three. At 60 BPM, one bar takes three seconds.
4/4: four beats per bar
Count ONE–two–three–four. Set 80 BPM, play the Bm chord on beat one and hold it until the next accented click. The bar lasts three seconds; practise changing to D major at the start of the following bar.
Tap Tempo estimates a beat from the intervals between taps. Short gaps in your tapping can produce unstable estimates, so use a steady series before practising. This browser metronome is a practice aid, not a calibrated medical or laboratory timing device.