Speed trainer: how to build tempo gradually
Short answer: A speed trainer raises the metronome tempo automatically in small steps. Start about 30% below your target, add 2–5 BPM every 4–8 bars, and stop at the target. Example: 80 → 120 BPM, +4 BPM every 4 bars.
Why gradual tempo increases work
When you jump straight to the target, your hands tense and you rehearse mistakes. Small steps keep each repetition clean while your muscle memory adapts to the new speed.
Example settings
| Goal | Start | Step | Every | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar solo / scale run | 80 | +4 BPM | 4 bars | 120 |
| Piano etude | 60 | +2 BPM | 8 bars | 92 |
| Drum fill / double strokes | 100 | +5 BPM | 4 bars | 160 |
Tips
- If you start missing notes, note the BPM and restart from 10 BPM below it.
- Finish each session by playing a few times at a comfortable tempo.
- Record your top clean BPM each day; it should rise over weeks, not in one session.
In Beatkeep
Set start BPM, step, bars per step and target; the metronome raises the tempo on its own and stops when you reach the target. You can also run a timer at a fixed tempo. Your best BPM goes into the practice log.