Metronomes are very useful tools for students, teachers, professionals, or those who just love to play!  Providing a steady beat for any desired tempo, a metronome is a vital part of anyone's practice session.  Here is a quick guide to some terms and features of these devices.

LCD Display
(Liquid Crystal Display) This display shows a simulated needle electronically.  Other models without an LCD will show an actual needle.

LED Display
This refers to the red or green lights found on some metronomes that blink to show the beat.

Accented Down Beat
This is an option to make one tone louder in a consistent pattern to reflect the meter of the music.

BPM
This stands for Beats Per Minute.

Tuning Tone/Tuning Note
This is usually an "A" set to the calibration of 440 Hz. 

Tone Generator
The metronome will play one or more pitches for tuning reference.

Subdivisions/Combination Beats
This refers to splitting one beat into smaller sections such as a quarter of a beat.

Tap Mode
If the tempo is unknown, the tap button can be pressed steadily and the metronome will then show and play back that exact beat.

Power Adaptor/Power Adaptor Jack
Some metronomes have the option of plugging into a power outlet using a power adaptor instead of battery operation.

Metronome & Tuner Combinations
Shar offers several metronome and tuner combinations.  This allows for convenient use of either a metronome or tuner in one compact device.