Develop Perfect Percussion Timing with Metronome

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90 minutes

5 steps

·Beginner

After 90 min: You can play drum patterns in perfect time with a metronome at multiple tempos from 60 to 140 bpm.

What you need

Metronome app or deviceDrum sticks and practice surface

The 90-Minute Plan

Choose your tempo0–12 min

Start at 60 bpm—so slow it feels silly. Play a simple kick-kick-snare-kick pattern repeatedly. Your goal is matching the metronome click exactly. Get used to the sound.

Lock to the beat for 5 minutes straight12–32 min

Play the same simple pattern continuously. Don't stop to think. Let your muscle memory take over. If you miss the beat, just jump back in. This builds subconcious timing.

Increase tempo in small steps32–52 min

Move to 70 bpm, then 80, 90, 100. Spend 2 minutes at each tempo. The jump from 100 to 120 is significant—slow down your learning pace if needed. Quality over speed.

Add complexity at moderate speed52–72 min

Add hi-hat eighths or double kick patterns at 100 bpm. Keep the metronome running. Complexity requires slower tempo—this is expected and healthy.

Challenge yourself at 140 bpm72–90 min

Push to 140 bpm (fast rock tempo) with the rock beat pattern. You might struggle—that's the point. Do 2-minute intervals with 1-minute rests. By the end, you'll feel the difference.

Pro Tip

Playing faster doesn't make you better—tight timing at slow speeds builds precision that carries to fast speeds automatically.