How to Sing on Beat

Singing on the beat will increase your singing proficiency and value as a musician in a performing group. Learning to identify the beat and then singing with the beat requires some practice. With a little effort, you can learn how to identify the beat and keep time with the rest of the ensemble. Many musicians struggle with playing in time, but it does get easier with practice. A metronome will teach you how to sing a steady beat and then practicing with music will help you apply the abstract concept of the beat to music.

Step 1 Set the metronome to a speed of 72 beats per second, and flick the metal rod to activate the metronome. If you have a digital metronome, just press the "Start" button.

Step 2 Sing the syllable "ah" each time the metronome clicks. If you like you can clap along as well to help get a better feel for the beat.

Step 3 Play a musical recording and listen for the beat. The beat will be subtle, but you should be able to tap your foot along to the steady pulse of the song. If you have trouble finding the beat, try walking around the room in-time to the song. The beat is the steady pulse that you move to when you dance.

Step 4 Learn to sing by reading a score. Find the main beats in the score and ensure that when the metronome clicks, the music lines up appropriately. If you do not know how to read music, learn about the following basic rhythms: whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes.

Whole notes should be held for four beats or clicks of the metronome, half notes are held for two beats, quarter notes for one beat and eighth notes for a half beat.