Rhythm
Tempo (BPM)
Tempo is the speed of a piece's pulse, measured in beats per minute (BPM): at 60 BPM each beat lasts one second, at 120 BPM half a second.
What does tempo mean in music?
Tempo tells you how many beats fall in one minute. At 60 BPM you get one beat per second; at 120 BPM, two beats per second. The beat is the unit you tap your foot to, usually the quarter note in a time signature such as 4/4.
Tempo also sets the length of each bar: in 4/4 at 120 BPM, a bar lasts 2 seconds and an 8-bar progression lasts 16 seconds. That is handy for estimating how long a verse or a solo will be.
What are typical tempos for different styles?
Rough guidelines; always check song by song:
| Style | Common tempo |
|---|---|
| Ballad | 60 to 80 BPM |
| Hip-hop, slow soul | 80 to 100 BPM |
| Pop, folk | 100 to 130 BPM |
| Rock | 110 to 150 BPM |
| Punk, fast rock | 160 to 200 BPM |
Classical scores use Italian terms: Adagio (slow, about 66 to 76), Andante (walking pace, about 76 to 108), Moderato (about 108 to 120), Allegro (fast, about 120 to 156), Presto (very fast, above 168). The exact ranges differ between sources and metronome makers.
How do you find the tempo of a song?
Tap your foot and count the beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4. Twenty-eight beats in 15 seconds gives 112 BPM. Then confirm by running a metronome at that value while the song plays.
Watch out for double time and half time: a song at 70 BPM can feel like 140 if the drums play busy eighth notes. Pick the pulse that the chord changes naturally fall on, often one chord per four-beat bar.
How do you build speed with a metronome?
The most reliable method with a metronome:
- Find the tempo where you can play the passage three times in a row with no mistakes, for example 60 BPM in eighth notes.
- Go up 4 BPM and repeat.
- When it falls apart, drop 8 BPM, then climb again.
Think in subdivisions: at 100 BPM, sixteenth notes mean 400 notes a minute, nearly 7 notes per second. For swing, set the click on beats 2 and 4 only, like a snare drum. The metronome in the guitar toolbox is all you need for this.
Key takeaways
- Tempo is measured in BPM: 60 BPM means one beat per second.
- Pop and folk often sit between 100 and 130 BPM, ballads between 60 and 80.
- To find a tempo, count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.
- With a metronome, go up 4 BPM at a time after three clean repetitions.
Frequently asked questions
What tempo should I use when learning a song on guitar?
Start at roughly half the original tempo, or at whatever speed lets every chord change land on time. A song at 120 BPM is easy to learn at 60 to 70 BPM, then you step up gradually to the real tempo.
What is the difference between tempo and rhythm?
Tempo is the speed of the pulse. Rhythm is how durations are arranged on that pulse: eighth notes, quarter notes, rests, syncopation. The same strumming rhythm can be played at 80 or at 140 BPM.
Why do I speed up without noticing?
It is very common, especially in easy or exciting passages. Record yourself with the click and the drift becomes obvious. Practise slow tempos too, around 50 to 60 BPM, because holding a slow tempo takes more control than a medium one.
Related terms
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