100 BPM Metronome — Ideal Moderate Tempo for Skill Building
Free online metronome set at 100 beats per minute. Perfect for pop, funk, jazz standards, and intermediate practice. Build technique and musicality at this comfortable tempo.
Press Space to start/stop
Use ↑/↓ arrows to adjust BPM (Shift for ±5)
100 BPM (beats per minute) is a comfortable moderate tempo that bridges the gap between slow practice speeds and performance tempos. It's fast enough to develop musical flow while still allowing time for precision and technical accuracy.
This tempo is ideal for musicians transitioning from beginner to intermediate levels. At 100 BPM, you can focus on developing smooth technique, consistent rhythm, and musical expression without the stress of extremely fast passages. It's the perfect "stepping stone" tempo for building confidence.
Many popular songs across various genres sit around 100 BPM, making it a practical tempo for learning real-world repertoire. Practicing at this speed helps you develop the skills needed for actual performance situations.
Pop and Indie Rock
Many contemporary pop and indie rock songs use tempos around 100 BPM. This creates a comfortable groove that's easy to sing along with while maintaining energy. Perfect for learning chord progressions and developing rhythm guitar skills.
Funk and Soul
Classic funk and soul grooves often sit around 100 BPM. This tempo allows for tight, syncopated rhythms while maintaining a relaxed feel. Great for developing groove-based playing and understanding rhythm section dynamics.
Jazz Standards
Medium swing tempo in jazz often translates to around 100 BPM. This is ideal for learning walking bass lines, comping patterns, and developing swing feel. Many bebop heads and standards work well at this comfortable tempo.
Acoustic Singer-Songwriter
Folk and singer-songwriter material frequently uses 100 BPM as a natural speaking/singing tempo. This creates an intimate, conversational feel perfect for storytelling through music and developing fingerstyle guitar techniques.
Technical Development
Use 100 BPM for scales, arpeggios, and technical exercises. This tempo is fast enough to develop fluency but slow enough to maintain perfect form. Focus on clean articulation, even tone, and relaxed technique at this speed.
Sight Reading Practice
100 BPM is excellent for sight reading development. The moderate pace gives you time to process notation while maintaining musical continuity. Practice reading new material at this tempo to develop both reading skills and rhythmic confidence.
Rhythm and Groove
Develop solid time and groove at 100 BPM. This tempo allows you to internalize the pulse while working on subdivision accuracy. Practice playing with and against the click to develop strong internal rhythm.
Musical Expression
At 100 BPM, you have time to focus on dynamics, phrasing, and articulation. Use this tempo to develop musical interpretation skills without the technical demands of faster speeds. Work on shaping phrases and creating emotional impact.
Piano & Keyboard
Perfect for Hanon exercises, technical studies, and learning new pieces. Develop hand independence and coordination at this manageable tempo before increasing speed.
Guitar
Ideal for perfecting chord changes, developing strumming patterns, and learning scales. Build muscle memory and clean technique at this comfortable practice speed.
Bass
Great for developing groove, working on fingerstyle technique, and learning bass lines. This tempo allows you to lock in with the rhythm while maintaining clarity.
Drums
Perfect for developing coordination between limbs, working on fills, and building consistent groove. Practice rudiments and independence exercises at this controlled speed.
Violin & Strings
Excellent for bow control, intonation work, and learning new repertoire. Develop smooth bow changes and left-hand position shifts at this moderate tempo.
Vocals
Ideal for working on breath control, pitch accuracy, and learning melodies. This tempo provides enough flow for musical phrasing while allowing focus on vocal technique.
- Start Here for New Material: When learning new pieces or techniques, begin at 100 BPM. This tempo provides a good balance between being slow enough for accuracy and fast enough to maintain musical flow.
- Focus on Consistency: Use the metronome to develop steady, reliable timing. Don't rush ahead of the beat or drag behind it. Aim for precise alignment with each click.
- Practice Subdivisions: Work on feeling eighth notes and sixteenth notes at 100 BPM. This develops your internal sense of rhythm and prepares you for more complex rhythmic patterns.
- Gradual Progression: Once you master material at 100 BPM, increase by small increments (5-10 BPM). Build speed gradually while maintaining quality and accuracy.
- Musical Context: Don't just practice mechanically. Even at this moderate tempo, focus on musicality, dynamics, and expression. Develop good habits from the start.
- Use as a Target Tempo: If faster speeds are causing problems, drop back to 100 BPM to rebuild technique with better form, then gradually work back up to your target tempo.
Frequently Asked Questions About 100 BPM
Is 100 BPM good for beginners?
100 BPM is excellent for intermediate beginners who have mastered basic techniques at slower speeds (60-80 BPM). It's fast enough to develop musical flow but not so fast that beginners will struggle with accuracy. Start slower if you're just beginning.
What songs are played at 100 BPM?
Many popular songs use 100 BPM or very close to it, including "Wonderwall" by Oasis, "Someone Like You" by Adele (around 95-100 BPM), and numerous folk, indie, and pop songs. This tempo is extremely common in contemporary music.
How long should I practice at 100 BPM?
Practice at 100 BPM until you can play your material consistently and accurately without errors. This might take days or weeks depending on the difficulty of the material. Quality and consistency are more important than speed.
Should I always start at 100 BPM?
Not necessarily. For very difficult material, start slower (60-80 BPM). For review of familiar material, you might start at 100 BPM or higher. Use the tempo that allows you to play accurately while maintaining musical flow.
Can I perform at 100 BPM?
Absolutely! Many songs are performed at 100 BPM. This tempo works well for various genres and creates a comfortable, groove-oriented feel. It's fast enough to be engaging but not so fast that it becomes exhausting to play or listen to.
What's the next step after mastering 100 BPM?
After mastering material at 100 BPM, increase gradually to 110-120 BPM. Use 5-10 BPM increments and ensure you maintain the same quality and accuracy at each new tempo before moving faster. The gradual trainer feature can automate this progression.