Home / Time signatures
Metronome for every time signature
Each preset sets the beats per bar, note value and accent grouping, so the strong beats fall in the right places. Any meter from 1 to 16 beats works on the main metronome.
- 2/4 · simple duple2/4 has two quarter-note beats per bar, counted "1, 2" with a strong first beat.
- 3/4 · simple triple3/4 has three quarter-note beats per bar with a strong first beat: "1, 2, 3".
- 4/4 · simple quadruple4/4 — also called common time and written as "C" — has four quarter-note beats per bar.
- 5/4 · irregular (odd)5/4 has five quarter-note beats per bar, usually grouped 3+2 or 2+3.
- 6/8 · compound duple6/8 has six eighth notes per bar grouped in two sets of three: two dotted-quarter beats, each divided into three.
- 7/8 · irregular (odd)7/8 has seven eighth notes per bar, grouped as 2+2+3, 3+2+2 or 2+3+2.
- 9/8 · compound triple9/8 usually has three dotted-quarter beats per bar, each divided into three eighths (3+3+3).
- 12/8 · compound quadruple12/8 has four dotted-quarter beats per bar, each divided into three eighths.
Simple, compound and odd meters
Simple meters (2/4, 3/4, 4/4) divide each beat into two. Compound meters (6/8, 9/8, 12/8) divide each beat into three, so the beat is a dotted note. Irregular or odd meters (5/4, 7/8, 11/8) mix groups of two and three. Read time signatures explained for counting and practice tips.