How to use Common Time

The main screen puts the written bar in the center, the tempo above the Start button, and Meter and Subdivision at the bottom.

1. Open Common Time. If you haven’t installed it, get the free app. It requires iOS or iPadOS 18 or later.
2. Choose Meter → 4/4. This gives you a familiar four-beat bar.
3. Set a comfortable tempo. Try 80 BPM using the tempo controls. The screenshot shows a different example tempo.
4. Choose Subdivision → Quarters. Start with one click per quarter-note beat.
5. Tap Start. Follow the highlighted position in the notation and count along. Tap Stop when you’re finished.

1. Tap Meter and choose a preset, or use the custom-meter controls.
2. For an irregular meter, choose how its beats are grouped. In 7/8, try 2 + 2 + 3.
3. Listen for the start of each group and follow the written bar.
4. Compare another grouping, such as 3 + 2 + 2. The bar has the same overall length, but its internal emphasis changes.

Custom meters accept a numerator from 1–16 and a denominator of 2, 4, 8, or 16. Groups must add up to the numerator.

More about meters and grouping →

You don’t need Pro to loop several bars. The bar strip above the notation shows the bars in your current phrase.

1. Set up your first bar’s meter and rhythm.
2. Tap the + tile in the bar strip to add a bar. You can build a phrase of up to four bars.
3. Select a bar tile to work on that bar. Use Meter to give it its own time signature and grouping.
4. Repeat for the other bars. For example, combine 4/4 → 5/8 → 7/8 → 4/4.
5. Tap Start. Common Time plays the phrase in order, then returns to the first bar.

When a control offers a scope, check whether it applies to the selected bar or all bars before making a change. The bar number and highlighted tile help you keep your place.

Pro: edit beats independently

1. Tap a beat in the written bar to open its rhythm editor.
2. Under Divide into, choose how many notes fill that beat. Pro includes advanced tuplets such as five, six, and seven notes.
3. Select a note under Notes in beat.
4. Choose its mark: None, Accent, Marcato, Staccato, or Rest.
5. Use the beat arrows to move to another beat. Leave All beats off when you want different rhythms in different beats.
6. Tap Done, then play the bar and listen to the result.

What the marks do

Accent adds emphasis; Marcato gives a stronger marked attack; Staccato shortens the note’s click; Rest leaves that note silent while time continues. None removes an added mark.

More about rhythms and subdivisions →

A plan arranges sections with their own tempo, meter, rhythm, and number of bars. Open Practice plans from the main screen or Settings.

1. Use the + or Create a plan control and give the routine a recognizable name.
2. Set the first section’s tempo and total bar count. Edit its meter and rhythm to suit the exercise.
3. Use Add section for the next stage. Repeat for each part of your routine.
4. Choose the tempo transition: Instant changes at the next section; Gradual moves toward the next section’s tempo over the final bar.
5. Enable Count in before each section if you want one preparation bar at the next section’s tempo and meter.
6. Choose the ending: Stop, Loop whole plan, or Loop last section.
7. Tap Done to save. Load the plan, then tap Start on the metronome.

During playback, follow the section and bar position. The rhythm overview helps you see the patterns used by the loaded plan.

1. Open Settings → Tuner.
2. Allow microphone access when iOS asks. Opening the tuner pauses the metronome.
3. Play one sustained note in a quiet space and let the reading settle.
4. Read the detected note and the sharp/flat indication. Adjust your instrument until the needle approaches the center and the cents reading approaches zero.
5. If your ensemble uses a different reference, adjust Concert A. The reference can be set from 430–450 Hz; 440 Hz is a common starting point.

If the display isn’t responding, check microphone permission, move closer to the instrument, and reduce surrounding sound. Close the tuner when you’re ready to return to practice.

1. Tap the pendulum icon on the main screen, or open Settings → Traditional pendulum.
2. Set the tempo using the shared plus/minus controls or ruler.
3. Tap Start and follow the swinging arm. The beat follows the arm’s center crossing.
4. Tap Stop when finished, then Done to return.

The pendulum follows the main metronome’s tempo, meter, subdivision, and sound. Tempo changes are shared between the two views. When a practice plan controls the tempo, make tempo changes in the plan instead.

The free app includes a two-measure preview. Pro unlocks continued use of the pendulum.