Many musicians have problems in keeping a regular rhythm or speed when playing their instrument. To help with this, most employ a metronome when practising. Metronomes produce a regularly emitted sound which can be altered in speed (between 40 beats per minute —largo, and 208 beats per minute —prestissimo) according to the speed of the music being played. They help discipline the musician into playing at the correct speed. For my GCSE electronics project earlier this year I decided to design and build an electronic metronome that also had the option of producing an accent every second, third or fourth beat — depending on the particular type of time signature — 2/4, 3/4 (waltz), or 4/4 ‘time’ of the music being played. This added option helps in disciplining the musician's mind into playing rhythmically.Therefore my design brief read: ‘I want to design a device that will give a regular ‘tick’ which can be varied in frequency to keep time for a musical instrument, i.e. a metronome. It will also have the option of giving emphasis on every second, third, or fourth beat.’