Simple Music Dictionary

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Beats per minute; the standard measurement of tempo in modern music.‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌

BPM provides a precise, numerical tempo indication that replaced subjective Italian tempo markings in popular music.‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌ DJs use BPM to beatmatch tracks, producers set their DAW's tempo in BPM, and fitness instructors choose music by BPM to match exercise intensity. Common BPM ranges include hip-hop (70-100), house (120-130), techno (125-150), drum and bass (160-180), and ballads (60-80).

Did you know?

Most people's natural walking pace is approximately 120 BPM, which is why so much pop and dance music gravitates to that tempo; it literally feels like moving.

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