Mechanical piano meters work by using a pendulum or a spring to regulate the speed of the piano. As the pendulum or spring swings, it strikes a lever that causes a hammer to hit a metal bar. The sound of the hammer hitting the bar is used to provide the tempo.
Electronic piano meters use a variety of methods to measure tempo. Some models use a photodiode to detect the movement of the piano keys, while others use a microphone to listen to the sound of the piano. The tempo is then calculated by measuring the time between keystrokes or sound events.
Piano meters can be a valuable tool for musicians of all levels. They can help musicians to develop a consistent tempo, and they can also be used to practice playing at different tempos.