The 7 Best Metronomes for Piano (2024)
No matter the instrument you play, staying on time is one of the most important skills a musician must possess. Using a metronome will train you to properly keep time and greatly improve your skills to stay on time in the process.
My top recommended metronome is the Korg KDM-3 Digital Metronome. It’s a popular metronome with a large LED screen and a variety of different beat patterns.
My second recommended metronome is the Mechanical Metronome by SOLO. If you’re on a tight budget, this classical, mechanical metronome is a great choice.
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The 7 Best Metronomes for Piano (2024)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Korg KDM-3 Digital Metronome
The Korg KDM-3 Digital Metronome is one of the best-known and highly praised digital metronomes out there. This beauty is made out of plastic and comes in a variety of different colors. It has a large LED screen and an array of buttons and a big knob.
As for the options it provides, there are plenty of them. It has 19 different beat patterns, so no matter which music you want to play, you will find a suitable pattern to practice with. Also, it has a whopping 8 different ticking sounds.
You probably find that classic digital beeping sounds annoying, but here you can change them and find something you really like. Besides all of that, it has a standard 3,5mm output for headphones and a real loudspeaker.
This is a great, quality buy. You will get a sturdy, high-end digital metronome that should last you for years.
2. Mechanical Metronome by SOLO
On the budget side of the spectrum, we have this classical, mechanical metronome. This one has a classical wind-up mechanism inside it so you won’t need any batteries for any power source for that matter (besides winding it up of course). It comes in a beautiful hard black plastic casing with golden letters.
As far as the options of the metronome go, on this one, you can change the beat from 0 to 2/3/4/6, so you can follow your notes exactly. It has good volume, so you don’t need to fear you won’t hear it when you play.
You can set up the tempo by adjusting the pendulum rod. The rod itself is itched on the exact tempo spots so you won’t miss them or let the weight on the rod slip while playing.
On this metronome, you will get around 20 minutes of playing time per winding up. The cost is affordable, and you shouldn’t hesitate to get one yourself right now.
3. Soundbrenner Pulse
The Soundbrenner Pulse is a pro-grade metronome for various instruments, including the piano. With seamless DAW integration and multiplayer sync options, it’s a great and modern alternative for traditional metronomes and click tracks.
With Bluetooth capability, you can sync the tempo to multiple devices if you want to. With two band straps, you can attach the device to your wrist, bicep, or ankle, whatever feels most comfortable to wear.
The complete tempo range is quite impressive, from 30 to 300 BPM (beats per minute), naturally, with all the necessary options such as play/pause, tap tempo, and tempo adjustment. In contrast to classic tick sounds, the Soundbrenner Pulse gives off a tempo vibration for better accuracy.
All in all, the Soundbrenner Pulse is a quality, professional metronome for any instrument, not just the piano. Even though it’s a bit pricier than other options, the value it brings is unparalleled.
4. Donner Mechanical Metronome
The Donner Mechanical Metronome sports a classic, pyramid-style design that is great for the piano, guitar, violin, and any other instrument you can think of. It comes in three color options which include woodgrain brown, woodgrain red, and woodgrain natural.
It’s incredibly easy to use, just choose your tempo and put the pendulum swing into motion to produce the click sound. Note – before closing it, it’s recommended that you set the tempo to 120 BPM so the shell can be closed easily.
You can choose a tempo between 40 and 208 BPM (beats per minute) from the given time signatures and it has 5 beats which are 0, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Apart from the stylish craftsmanship, this metronome is built to last so longevity is not an issue. For the given price, it’s quite a catch!
5. Wittner 834 Piccolo Metronome
This is another take on the classical wind-up metronomes. The main feature that sets this metronome apart from the rest of the pack is its beautiful design.
It looks and feels as if it’s gone straight from the 1950s. It’s made of plastic and has a beautiful red and white design that is just going to make your piano look much better when you place this on the top.
As far as the options go, the Wittner 834 is not really packed with options, it’s just a normal, classical metronome. This is a cheap and portable little metronome for practice and for people who need something lightweight with them on the road.
The Seiko SQ50-V is an excellent quartz metronome. It’s similar to the digital ones but is designed based on the quartz technology from watches. And it’s no surprise that a watch company is producing them. Seiko’s SQ50-V is a no-nonsense metronome with two different sounds and a volume knob.
You can set the pace from 40 to 208 bpm with a funky rotary dial. It comes with a red LED light that’s a visual guide for playing.
For the given price, which is modest, if I may say so, you get a quartz type of metronome that is suitable for beginners and professionals alike. It’s a timekeeping tool worth considering.
7. Digital Metronome & Pitch Generator
This is a hybrid (digital/mechanical) metronome, but it comes with a sliding rod same as the mechanical ones, with which you set up a tempo. It’s powered by three AA batteries which are included with a purchase.
It’s made out of plastic and you can choose beat patterns from 0 to 6, with 3 different sounds which are not changeable. It has its own stand to stand up and, as mentioned, uses batteries for power. This is a great lightweight metronome to take with you to practice.
It also features 7 rhythm patterns such as duplets, triplets, quadruplets, etc. If you’re looking for something lightweight, affordable, and that can do the job, this is an excellent choice to consider for any pianist.
About Metronomes
Dating back hundreds of years, metronomes are essentially machines that produce sound and/or movement (or light) in a periodic order. Usually, they are set to BPM (beats per minute) as their unit of measure and have a pendulum or a light to provide visual aid as well as a beep for audio guidance.
Metronomes were developed as mechanical machines, in the early 19th century, in a similar fashion to clocks. Today, most of the metronomes made are made with quartz technology or with digital technology. Apart from them, you can always use software solutions, and all of the DAWs have built-in metronomes in them.
Don’t forget that you also have lots of useful metronome apps for Android and iOS devices. These apps usually come with a built-in tuner or some other useful addition which is also a great option.
Conclusion
Whether you’re going to use the metronome for learning, teaching, practicing, or playing, you’re sure you can find the right one on this list. Be it the digital ones where you can sometimes change the sound. Or classical, that take you back in time and have that traditional, soothing metronome sound.
My top pick is the Korg KDM-3 Digital Metronome, a popular metronome with a large LED screen and a variety of different beat patterns.
My budget pick is the Mechanical Metronome by SOLO, an affordable, classical, and mechanical metronome at a great price.
