> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.practickapp.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.practickapp.com/student-app/metronome.md).

# Metronome

#### How to use

Access **Tools → Metronome** in the app menu. You'll find:

* **BPM** — adjust with the slider or the + and − buttons
* **Time Signature** — choose between 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, or 4/4
* **Timer** — set the session duration (tap the counter to edit)
* **Tap** — tap to the beat to automatically detect the BPM
* **Sound** — mute the beep without stopping the session timer

Tap the **Play** button to start. The metronome plays for the set duration and stops automatically at the end.

***

#### Downbeat Accent

The metronome differentiates the first beat of each measure (the downbeat) from the remaining beats, playing a distinct sound — a **beep** on the strong beat and **claves** on the following beats. This helps you clearly perceive where each measure begins during practice.

The accent feature is available in two places in the app, with different default behaviors:

| Screen        | Default        | How to toggle                              |
| ------------- | -------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Metronome** | Accent **on**  | **Accent** button in the controls          |
| **Exercises** | Accent **off** | **Metronome** modal (button in the footer) |

**On the Metronome screen:**\
The toggle button is in the secondary controls:

* **Accent** — filled lightning icon ⚡ — strong beat plays a distinct sound
* **Even** — outlined lightning icon — all beats play the same sound

The visual indicator dots follow the current state: with accent on, the 1st beat dot is highlighted. When toggled during playback, the metronome restarts on beat 1 to maintain sync.

**On the Exercise screen:**\
Tap the **Metronome** button in the footer to open the settings modal. The **"Accent the downbeat"** option toggles the accent on or off without interrupting the exercise count.

> The accent always falls on the first beat of the measure, regardless of the time signature configured (3/4, 4/4, etc.).

***

#### Linking to a technique

Before starting, you can configure two optional fields at the bottom of the screen:

* **Note** — a free-text note about what you're practicing (e.g. "Warm Up", "A Scale")
* **Technique** — the technique you're working on in this session (e.g. Alternate Picking, Economy Picking)

By linking a technique, the session time is counted in your **Progress Report** — you can track how much time you've dedicated to each technique over time.

> Only one technique can be linked per session.

***

#### When the session ends

When the timer reaches zero, the app displays a session summary:

| Field              | What it shows                            |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Duration**       | Total session time                       |
| **Tempo**          | BPM used (logged in the Progress Report) |
| **Time Signature** | Time signature used                      |
| **Technique**      | Linked technique                         |
| **Note**           | Session note                             |

Tap **"Restart"** to repeat the session or **"Close"** to finish.