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2/4 metronome
2/4 has two quarter-note beats per bar, counted "1, 2" with a strong first beat. It is the meter of marches, polkas, many folk dances and a lot of country and samba music.
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How to count 2/4
Count "1 and 2 and" for eighth notes. The first beat is strong and the second weak, giving the classic left-right march feel.
Metronome settings for 2/4
- Set 2 beats per bar with the default strong downbeat.
- Marches are usually played around 110–120 BPM — 120 matches quick-time marching.
- Add eighth-note subdivisions to keep "oom-pah" accompaniments even.
Other time signatures
- 3/4simple triple
- 4/4simple quadruple
- 5/4irregular (odd)
- 6/8compound duple
- 7/8irregular (odd)
- 9/8compound triple
- 12/8compound quadruple
New to meters? Read time signatures explained.
FAQ
How do you count 2/4 time?
Count "1 and 2 and" for eighth notes. The first beat is strong and the second weak, giving the classic left-right march feel.
How do I set a metronome for 2/4?
Set 2 beats per bar with a quarter-note beat. This page is already set up that way at 112 BPM; the BPM counts quarter notes.
What kind of meter is 2/4?
2/4 is a simple duple meter: 2 quarter notes per bar.