Tap tempo: find the pulse before you practise
Tap tempo estimates BPM from repeated taps. Tap to the beat you want to count, then use the estimate as a starting point for listening and practice.
Tap the pulse, not the melody
Listen for a recurring beat and tap steadily across several bars. A busy melody may place several notes between beats, while a sustained note may last across several beats. Keep your taps consistent even when the surface rhythm changes.
Check the result by listening
Set the metronome close to the estimate and listen against the recording. A small difference becomes easier to hear over several bars. Live performances can change tempo, so one number may not describe the whole track.
Resolve a doubled or halved reading
A result near 80 or 160 BPM may reflect two ways of feeling the same music. Count the phrase and decide which pulse you intend to practise against. Do not change numbers just because one looks more familiar.
Use the result musically
When learning a passage, start below the recording’s tempo if necessary. Keep the timing consistent before raising the speed. For production calculations, use the tempo reference and delay-time tool rather than guessing the duration of a beat.