72 BPM in numbers
72 BPM is a classic metronome mark and an Adagio tempo: each beat lasts 833 ms, a little under a second. At 72 beats per minute, one beat lasts 833 ms (0.83 s).
| Note or bar | Length at 72 BPM |
|---|---|
| One beat (quarter note) | 833 ms |
| Eighth note | 417 ms |
| Eighth-note triplet | 278 ms |
| Sixteenth note | 208 ms |
| Bar of 3/4 | 2.5 s |
| Bar of 4/4 | 3.33 s |
| Bars of 4/4 per minute | 18 |
Tempo marking: Adagio
72 BPM falls in the Adagio range, “slow, at ease”, which this metronome places at 66 to 75 BPM. Reference charts do not all agree, so treat tempo words as a feel rather than a fixed number. 72 is one of the numbers printed on a mechanical (Maelzel) metronome.
What 72 BPM is used for
72 is also a familiar pulse, inside the normal adult resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. In music it suits slow pop ballads and soul. For practice, 72 is 60% of 120, a common starting point when you work a 120 BPM piece up to speed.
Walking, running and CPR at 72
CPR: chest compressions need 100 to 120 per minute (American Heart Association), so 72 BPM is too slow for that. Use the 110 BPM metronome to practice.
Walking: below about 100 steps per minute, walking is usually light intensity for adults, according to the CADENCE-Adults study.
Practice ideas at 72 BPM
At slow tempos the gaps feel long and most people rush. Turn on Subdivide for a soft click between beats, and count the subdivisions out loud. Press the space bar to start or stop, and use the − and + buttons to move one BPM at a time. Other tempos: 70 BPM, 76 BPM, or the full online metronome. To time a practice session, pair it with a timer.