BPM measures tempo
BPM stands for “beats per minute.” Tempo describes how quickly a steady pulse moves. BPM gives a convenient number for counting that pulse.
The calculation is about a regular pulse, not a requirement that every musical part play on every beat.
Beat and rhythm are different
The beat is the regular pulse that you can count. Rhythm is when the musical sounds happen in relation to that pulse. A melody can play several notes over one beat, or hold one note across several beats, while the pulse remains steady.
In a drum groove, you can count the same pulse even when kick, snare, and hi-hat enter at different times.
Hear two tempos
Start the Playroom metronome at 60 BPM. Listen to the spaces between its beats, and count “one, two, three, four.” Then try 120 BPM and notice that twice as many beats now fit into a minute.
Open the online metronome or follow Feel the pulse to practice steady time.
Written for beginner musicians by Playroom, the team behind these browser instruments and practice activities. Our examples reflect the notes and sounds available in this browser practice room.