Metronome 20 BPM (Larghissimo) — Play and Practise Online

Use this free online metronome set to 20 beats per minute — Larghissimo to practise guitar, drums, piano, bass or any other instrument. Zero latency, precise timing and visual feedback to keep you on the beat.

Which tempo marking is 20 BPM?

20 BPM corresponds to Larghissimo in the classical tempo markings.

Extremely slow and solemn. Most often found in dramatic passages of Romantic symphonies, where every note carries real emotional weight.

Tracks closest to 20 BPM

No well-known record sits at 20 BPM — this tempo falls outside the range of mainstream music. These are the closest matches. Tempos are commonly cited values and vary by recording.

•“Moonlight Sonata, 1st movement” — Ludwig van Beethoven (1801)52 BPM · 32 faster · ≈
•“Hallelujah” — Leonard Cohen (1984)56 BPM · 36 faster · 6/8
•“Stairway to Heaven” — Led Zeppelin (1971)63 BPM · 43 faster · intro

≈ Approximate — classical tempos vary by performance. · 6/8 Compound feel — counted on the main beats. · intro Opening section — the piece moves on from here.

Practice tips for playing at 20 BPM

Practising Larghissimo is more about tone than rhythm. Focus on producing a rich, sustained sound on every note. On piano, listen to the decay of each one. On strings, practise smooth bow changes with no audible break. For winds, this is the definitive breath-control exercise. Set the metronome here and aim for perfect legato.

Warm-up exercises

Start with single quarter notes on one note, focusing on even spacing and consistent dynamics.At 20 BPM you have plenty of room to exaggerate your movements — use that to build muscle memory.Add eighths and then sixteenths as you become comfortable.

Mastering sixteenths at this speed

Sixteenths at 20 BPM means 80 notes per minute — that is 1.3 notes per second.That is very manageable — use it to develop absolute precision and evenness between the hands.

Tip: start at half speed (10 BPM) and double the note values per bar until you can hit the target tempo accurately.

Explore similar tempi

Try the neighbouring tempos to broaden your rhythmic range:

21 BPM 22 BPM 23 BPM 24 BPM 25 BPM

Why 20 BPM?

20 BPM sits deep in Larghissimo territory — extremely slow and deliberate. It turns up in atmospheric scores, ambient music and meditative passages where each beat is a moment in itself.

How to use the metronome online

•Click Play or press Space to start.
•Adjust the BPM with the slider or the keyboard shortcuts.
•Tap tempo — click "Tap" or press T to set the tempo by tapping the rhythm.
•Visual indicators — the dots blink in sync with the audio.

Questions about 20 BPM

What does 20 BPM mean?

20 BPM means 20 evenly spaced beats per minute — about 0.3 beats each second. In the classical markings that is Larghissimo.

Why practise with a 20 BPM metronome?

At this speed the beats sit 3.0 seconds apart, so count eighth notes between the clicks. Start at 10 BPM and feel double-time (40 BPM) only once the slow pulse is rock solid.

How do I use the online metronome at 20 BPM?

Click Play or press Space to start. Adjust the BPM with the slider or the keyboard shortcuts. Use tap tempo (the Tap button or the T key) to set the tempo by tapping the rhythm. The beat indicator dots blink in sync with the audio.

Can I use a 20 BPM metronome for running or meditation?

Yes. Beyond music, a 20 BPM metronome works as a cadence for running workouts, as a breathing aid for yoga and meditation, and as a tool for reading and speech.