7/4 Metronome

20–400 BPM, any time signature, five accent levels, subdivisions, swing, count-in, speed and gap trainers.

7/4 has seven beats in each bar, and each beat is a quarter note (that is what the lower number means). In practice it is felt as two groups of uneven length (4+3). You will hear it in progressive rock and some folk and film music, usually felt as 4+3.

The metronome above is set to 7/4 with the beats grouped 4+3: an accent on beat 1 and a medium accent at the start of each group. The tempo counts quarter notes. Tap any beat to change its accent.

How to count 7/4

1234
567

Count every beat but stress the start of each group: 1 2 3 4 · 5 6 7. Saying the groups as words helps: “one-two-three-four” “slow-ly”.

Practising in 7/4 on guitar

  • Start slowly: set the tempo where you can count out loud and play at the same time.
  • Strum down on every beat first, then fill in the off-beats once the accents feel natural.
  • Uneven meters are easier if you change chords on the group starts, not on every beat.
  • Add the drum machine for a groove in 7/4.

Common questions

How do you count 7/4?

Count every beat but stress the start of each group: 1 2 3 4 · 5 6 7. Saying the groups as words helps: “one-two-three-four” “slow-ly”.

What does the 4 in 7/4 mean?

It names the note that gets one count: a quarter note. The top number, 7, is how many of them fill a bar.

What tempo should I use for 7/4?

Most music in 7/4 sits somewhere around 110 BPM ; start slower while you learn the accents.

Can I change how the beats are grouped?

Yes. In Advanced, type a grouping such as 3+2+2 under Beat groups, and the accents move to match.

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Other time signatures

2/4 time3/4 time4/4 time5/4 time5/8 time6/8 time7/8 time9/8 time12/8 time
60 BPM Metronome80 BPM Metronome100 BPM Metronome120 BPM Metronome

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20–400 BPM, any time signature, five accent levels, subdivisions, swing, count-in, speed and gap trainers.
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