60bpm

60 bpm refers to a tempo of sixty beats per minute in music. This means one beat every second on the primary pulse. In musical notation, tempo is often specified with a metronome marking such as quarter note = 60, indicating that each quarter note lasts one second.

Context and uses: 60 bpm is at the slow end of commonly used tempo markings and sits near the boundary between Largo and Larghetto. It is common in ballads, lullabies, ambient and cinematic cues, or pieces intended to create a calm or spacious atmosphere. It is also a standard practice tempo for beginners, as many piano and melodic exercises are performed at or near 60 bpm. In breathing and mindfulness music, 60 bpm can align with the average resting heart rate, enhancing relaxation.

Technical notes: In digital audio workstations and metronomes, setting 60 bpm establishes a consistent pulse. Each quarter note is one second; eighth notes occur at 0.5 seconds, and sixteenth notes at 0.125 seconds. Tempo can be changed gradually via tempo automations or metric modulation.

History and influence: The adoption of the metronome in the early 19th century enabled precise tempo specification, including 60 bpm, which has remained a common reference point for practice and reference tempo. The term BPM is widely used across genres to describe tempo, regardless of meter.