There is provided an improved system and method of determining the tempo of a digitized musical work that, optionally, allows a user to participate in the BPM determination. A first preferred aspect includes determination of estimates of the BPM of a musical work by utilizing at least two different algorithms, thereby producing a plurality of separate BPM candidates. As a further preferred aspect, the method utilizes, as an optional step, input from the user to assist in selecting the nullbestnull BPM from among the plurality of BPMs determined previously. Preferably, the user is given the option of nulltapping alongnull with the music by pressing the mouse or a key on the computer in time to the music as it is played. The program analyzes the first few taps and, from that input, selects from the BPMs the one that is most consistent with the user's input.