120 BPM, explained
At 120 beats per minute, each beat lasts 500 milliseconds (2.00 beats per second). A bar of 4/4 takes 2.00 seconds, and an eighth note lasts 250 ms. The classical tempo marking for 120 BPM is roughly Allegro.
Tempos around 120 BPM are common in house, disco and dance-pop.
Practising at 120 BPM
If 120 BPM feels too fast for a passage, drop to a tempo where you can play it cleanly three times in a row, then come back up 2–4 BPM at a time. If it feels easy, try putting the click on beats 2 and 4 only (set the metronome to 60 BPM), which trains you to feel the pulse yourself.
Need a different speed? Use the slider, or open a preset: 40 · 50 · 60 · 70 · 80 · 90 · 100 · 110 · 130 · 140 · 150 · 160 · 170 · 180 · 200 BPM.
Questions
How fast is 120 BPM?
120 beats per minute means one beat every 0.500 seconds, or 2.00 beats per second.
What tempo marking is 120 BPM?
Roughly Allegro. Tempo markings are approximate, and composers' ideas of them vary.
Can I change the time signature?
Yes. Choose 2, 3, 4 or 6 beats per bar; the first beat of each bar is accented.
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