This weekend I wrote a simple webpage to measure the accuracy of my rhythm (the timing project on GitHub). Just load the page then start tapping any key(s) periodically; the page records and reports on the time between key-presses.

In playing with the page my standard deviation normally hovered around 20ms, drifting up towards 40ms. This was without a metronome.

Open questions:

  • What is a good accuracy?
  • How long should a rhythm test last? Five seconds seems too short and five minutes seems too long.
  • Am I reporting the proper statistics?
  • Is my quick attempt at measuring rhythm flawed? JavaScript may be too slow or imprecise. Are there bugs?
  • How can the app be improved?

How’s your accuracy? Got any ideas? Please let me know!