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Tempo is the measurement of how fast or slow a piece of music is to be performed. Let's look into how it works.
The tempo, also frequently referred to as beats per minute (BPM), is essential for understanding and playing music.
Behind all music, there is a continuous pulse, like a heartbeat. It can be very fast or very slow. We call these rhythmic pulses "beats".
Typically, the beats will be the same length as a quarter note. That means, in 4/4 time, we will have 4 beats every bar. This is why you will frequently hear music counted out as groups of 4. For example:
1 - 2 - 3 - 4,
1 - 2 - 3 - 4.
When you count this way, you're counting out the 4 beats that make up the bar.
Usually, the tempo should be marked at the beginning of a piece.
Just like with the time signature, this can change anytime at the start of a bar. Music can speed up or slow down at will.
Some songs even gradually increase or decrease tempo throughout a bar (fortunately, this isn't too common).
So, to put it all together, the tempo tells us how many "heartbeats" we have per minute. With a beat here referring to a quarter note, at least as long as we are in 4/4 or 3/4 time.
That means a quarter note does not have a defined length! It's not a unit of measurement, like a minute, for example, that lasts a certain amount of time. It's simply a fraction of the bar.
Therefore - the length of the notes are entirely defined by the tempo.
Check your understanding now:
With a tempo of 120, how many beats are there per second?
How long does a bar last at 120 BPM?
Using Your Metronome
Using Your Metronome
This is where your metronome comes in. The purpose of a metronome is to keep track of the "heartbeat" for you, both to help you keep time, and to help you check yourself to make sure your timing is sound.
Practice your scales, arpeggios, strumming patterns, songs, etc. with a metronome at least some of the time.
Once you know the notes to what you're trying to play, playing it with good timing will usually be the next step.
I recommend you also tap your foot, or nod your head, or anything else that feels natural in time with the metronome's pulse. This will help you to internalize the timing even better.
Always keep an ear out to ensure you're in time with the metronome, or the beat of the song while playing.
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