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Pulse Pocket Metronome

A free metronome built for percussionists. See subdivisions, build combination rhythms, and read counting in two systems — right in your browser.

Launch the Metronome → See what it does

No download. No install. No account. Free forever.

The Pulse Pocket Rhythm panel playing the Build-Up combination preset — quarter, eighths, triplet, and sixteenths on a staff, with the currently sounding triplet note highlighted in orange. — The Build-Up combination rhythm, mid-measure — the highlight follows the note being played.

What it is

A metronome that shows you the rhythm

Pulse Pocket is a web-based metronome designed by a percussion educator for percussion students and teachers. Unlike a generic metronome app, Pulse Pocket shows you the rhythm — not just clicks.

You can see every subdivision on a live staff, switch between Standard and Eastman counting systems, display sticking (Natural or Alternate), and build combination rhythms beat by beat. It works on any phone, tablet, or computer with a browser.

See it in action

Real notation, live in the browser

The Rhythm panel showing four beats of sixteenth notes on a staff with Standard counting (1 e and a) and natural sticking letters under each note. — **See every subdivision**Sixteenths on a live staff with Standard counting and R/L sticking under each played note.

A sixteenth-note pattern with rests shown as hollow notes, counted in both Standard and Eastman systems at the same time. — **Patterns with rests**Silent pulses print as hollow notes with their counts in parentheses — shown here in both counting systems at once.

The Build-Up combination preset playing: quarter, eighths, triplet, and sixteenths across the measure, with the currently sounding triplet note highlighted in orange. — **Combination rhythms, playing**The Build-Up preset mid-measure — the moving highlight shows the note being played.

Key features

Built for the percussion classroom

See the rhythm

Live notation with beams, tuplet brackets, and a moving highlight on the note being played. Students see what they hear.

Subdivisions

Quarter notes, eighths, triplets, and sixteenths — the core vocabulary for beginner and intermediate percussionists.

Patterns

Mix notes and rests inside a single beat. Silent pulses show as hollow notes with their counts in parentheses — students count them but don't play.

Combination rhythms

Give each beat its own rhythm. Or pick one of the three current presets: Build-Up, 16th Combinations, or Trips & 16ths.

Counting systems

Standard: the traditional band-hall count, with selectable triplet wording
Eastman: the McHose/Tibbs system, with selectable sixteenth-note wording
Show one, the other, or both at the same time
Preferences save on the device, and teachers can share them in a link

Sticking display

Natural: each hand tied to its spot in the grid (rests don't change hands)
Alternate: switches hands on every played note (rests shift the pattern)
Shown as R/L under each played note, with hand parity carrying across the measure

Time signatures

2/4, 3/4, 4/4 (C = common time), and 2/2 (¢ = cut time). Switch between common time and cut time while playing to hear the difference.

Progressive features

Subdivisions and Combination Rhythms panels each have on/off switches. Beginners start with a plain metronome. Teachers reveal tools as students are ready.

Keyboard shortcuts

Space play/stop T tap tempo ↑↓ tempo R reset to 4/4 at 120 BPM

Help that works on school devices

Report a problem and Request a feature open a visible, editable message. Users can open it in a configured email app or copy all details into webmail when a managed device has no email app set up.

Who it's for

Students, classrooms, and studios

Students

Practice with a metronome that actually shows you the rhythm. Learn to count in Standard or Eastman. See your sticking. Build up from quarter notes to complex combination patterns.

Teachers

Start beginners with a plain metronome, then turn on subdivisions, patterns, and combination rhythms as students are ready. Project it on a screen for the whole class.

Private teachers

Assign specific rhythm combinations for weekly practice and share teacher-selected counting preferences in the URL. Students open the same browser-based tool on any device — no app to install, no account, no version issues.

Why it's different

Most metronome apps produce clicks. Pulse Pocket teaches rhythm.

Percussion-specific
Counting systems, sticking, and subdivisions built for the band hall — not generic music tools.
Visual
Live notation on a staff. Students see what they play.
Progressive
Start simple, reveal features as students grow. Not a wall of buttons.
Free
No paywall, no account, no download. Open the URL and practice.
Works everywhere
Phone, tablet, Chromebook, desktop. Any browser.

Ready to practice?

Launch Pulse Pocket — free, no signup. Need a walkthrough? The operating guide covers every panel and preference.

Launch the Metronome → Read the guide