Choosing a haptic metronome setup

A haptic metronome communicates a pulse through vibration. The useful question is whether that pulse is clear and comfortable in your real playing position, on the particular hardware you use.

Test contact and placement

Try the device where it will actually sit during practice. A vibration that is obvious in your hand may be less useful when the device moves against clothing or rests on a surface. Keep visual or audible timing available while evaluating it.

Test a musical task

Play a familiar phrase at a moderate tempo. Check whether you can follow the beat and distinguish the accents you need without repeatedly looking at the screen. A phone, a tablet and a wearable can feel quite different.

Try it on your own phone

Vibration strength and feel vary between phone models, so try the pulse on the device you will practise with. The SuperTime app for iPhone and iPad page lists its features and compatible devices.

Keep an alternative reference

The browser metronome and drum grooves provide other ways to practise with a pulse. Choose the reference that helps you hear and control the music, not the one with the longest feature list.