90 BPM Metronome — Ideal Mid-Tempo for Groove & R&B
Free online metronome set at 90 beats per minute. Perfect for R&B, soul, hip-hop, and mid-tempo pop. Develop groove, pocket, and musical expression at this comfortable tempo.
Press Space to start/stop
Use ↑/↓ arrows to adjust BPM (Shift for ±5)
90 BPM (beats per minute) is a comfortable mid-tempo that bridges the gap between slow practice and moderate performance tempos. This versatile tempo appears frequently in popular music and provides an ideal pace for developing musical flow while maintaining technical control.
For musicians transitioning from slower practice tempos, 90 BPM offers a manageable step up that still allows time for thinking and precision. It's fast enough to develop momentum and groove, yet slow enough to maintain accuracy and musical expression without rushing.
This tempo is particularly valuable for practicing groove-oriented music like R&B, soul, hip-hop, and mid-tempo pop. Many classic and contemporary songs sit comfortably at 90 BPM, making it an essential tempo for developing real-world performance skills.
R&B and Soul
90 BPM is a sweet spot for contemporary R&B and soul music. This tempo allows for smooth, laid-back grooves while giving vocalists space to add melismatic embellishments and emotional nuances. It's perfect for developing the pocket and feel essential to these genres.
Hip-Hop and Trap
Many hip-hop and trap beats are produced around 90 BPM, creating a head-nodding groove that feels relaxed yet engaging. This tempo allows space for complex hi-hat patterns and rhythmic vocal delivery while maintaining energy and drive.
Mid-Tempo Pop
Countless pop hits are built on 90 BPM foundations. This tempo creates an accessible, radio-friendly feel that's comfortable for both listeners and performers. It's fast enough to be engaging but not so fast that it becomes exhausting or loses emotional depth.
Blues and Shuffle Grooves
Blues shuffles often sit around 90 BPM, creating that classic laid-back feel. This tempo allows guitarists to execute swing patterns comfortably while leaving room for expressive bends and vibrato. It's the perfect pace for developing authentic blues phrasing.
Developing Groove and Feel
90 BPM is ideal for developing pocket and groove. At this tempo, you can focus on where notes sit in relation to the beat—slightly ahead for excitement, right on for precision, or behind for laid-back feel. This subtle timing control is essential for musical expression.
Intermediate Speed Development
Use 90 BPM as a stepping stone between slow practice (60-80 BPM) and standard tempo (100-120 BPM). Master material at this tempo before moving faster, ensuring technique remains solid as speed increases gradually.
Syncopation Practice
90 BPM provides an excellent tempo for practicing syncopated rhythms common in funk, reggae, and Latin music. The moderate pace gives you time to feel off-beat accents and develop the internal pulse needed for complex rhythmic patterns.
Melodic Expression
This tempo allows instrumentalists and vocalists to shape melodic phrases with nuance and emotion. You have time for vibrato, dynamic shading, and expressive timing without feeling rushed, while still maintaining forward momentum.
Piano & Keyboard
Perfect for jazz comping patterns, R&B chord progressions, and developing left-hand bass lines. Practice voicings and inversions at 90 BPM to build harmonic fluency while maintaining groove and pocket.
Guitar
Ideal for rhythm guitar patterns, chord melody arrangements, and developing groove-based accompaniment. Work on muting techniques, funk strumming, and reggae chops at this comfortable mid-tempo pace.
Bass
Excellent for developing pocket, practicing walking bass lines, and working on syncopated patterns. 90 BPM is perfect for locking in with the drummer and developing the solid foundation essential to groove music.
Drums
Great for practicing hip-hop beats, R&B grooves, and shuffle patterns. This tempo allows drummers to focus on ghost notes, dynamic control, and the subtle timing variations that create authentic feel.
Vocals
Perfect for R&B, soul, and pop ballads. 90 BPM gives singers space to add runs, melismas, and emotional expression while maintaining clear connection to the beat. Ideal for developing contemporary vocal styling.
Saxophone & Horns
Excellent for jazz ballads, R&B horn sections, and developing expressive phrasing. Practice articulation, vibrato, and dynamic shaping at 90 BPM to develop musical maturity and authentic style.
- Master at Slower Tempos First: Before practicing at 90 BPM, ensure you can play the material accurately at 60-80 BPM. The jump to 90 BPM will feel natural if your foundation is solid.
- Focus on Feel and Groove: At 90 BPM, pay attention to how your notes relate to the beat. Experiment with playing slightly ahead (pushing) or behind (laying back) to develop different feels and musical expressions.
- Practice with Subdivisions: Feel eighth notes, triplets, or sixteenth notes at 90 BPM to develop internal subdivision and rhythmic precision. This builds the foundation for complex rhythmic patterns.
- Work on Dynamics: This tempo is perfect for developing dynamic control. Practice crescendos, diminuendos, and accent patterns without sacrificing rhythmic accuracy or rushing.
- Record Your Practice: Record yourself playing along with 90 BPM to evaluate your timing, feel, and groove. Listen back critically to identify areas where you rush, drag, or lose pocket.
- Play Along with Songs: Many popular songs use 90 BPM. Practice playing along with recordings to develop real-world timing and the ability to lock in with other musicians and tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions About 90 BPM
Is 90 BPM a good practice tempo?
Yes, 90 BPM is an excellent practice tempo. It's fast enough to develop musical flow and momentum, but slow enough to maintain technical control and precision. Many musicians find this tempo ideal for intermediate-level practice and skill development.
What genres commonly use 90 BPM?
90 BPM is common in R&B, soul, hip-hop, trap, mid-tempo pop, blues, and some reggae styles. This tempo creates a comfortable, groove-oriented feel that works well for both vocal and instrumental music across many contemporary genres.
How do I transition from 80 BPM to 90 BPM?
Increase gradually in 5 BPM increments: 80, 85, 90. Practice at each tempo until you can play comfortably and accurately before moving faster. The jump from 80 to 90 BPM should feel manageable if you've mastered the slower tempo completely.
Should I practice groove at 90 BPM?
Absolutely! 90 BPM is perfect for developing groove, pocket, and feel. This tempo gives you time to focus on subtle timing nuances and where notes sit relative to the beat. Many professional musicians specifically practice groove exercises at tempos around 90 BPM.
Is 90 BPM good for beginners?
90 BPM can work for beginners who have already developed basic technique at slower tempos (60-80 BPM). It's not too fast for careful playing, but provides enough momentum to develop musical flow. However, complete beginners should start slower and work up to 90 BPM gradually.
When should I increase tempo beyond 90 BPM?
Increase tempo only when you can play the material perfectly at 90 BPM with good tone, accurate rhythm, and musical expression. Then move to 95-100 BPM in small increments. If you lose quality at the higher tempo, return to 90 BPM and practice more before advancing.