120 BPM
At 120 BPM, the beat clicks 120 times per minute, once every 0.50 seconds. In 4/4, four clicks fill about 2.00 seconds.
- 120 beats per minute
- 0.50 seconds per beat
- 2.00 seconds per 4/4 bar
How fast is 120 BPM?
BPM means beats per minute. Divide 60 seconds by 120 and one beat lasts about 0.50 seconds. Four such beats take about 2.00 seconds in a 4/4 bar. These times describe the click, not how many notes you must play.
The main beats are close enough to give forward motion, but you can still count four of them clearly. Keep the phrase length fixed when adding quicker notes.
What should you practice at 120 BPM?
Tap four beats, then play two evenly spaced notes inside each beat. The subdivisions arrive four times per second while the main click stays twice per second.