Identifying the tempo on the Timeline
It is possible to listen to a piece of music, follow its beat, and tap out the tempo on the Timeline. By doing so, you will “set markers.” The process works quite well. Once you have marked off a beat, you can then transcribe the tempo on a dope sheet, and use it to plan the animation that will go with the music.
To set makers, listen to the music first, for several times, and get used to the beat. Then, by getting into the rhythm, tap with your finger and press the [*] key on the numeric key pad as you follow along (the [ * ] is in the collection of number keys at the right-hand side of the keyboard). Doing this will set markers in the Timeline.
To locate specific markers, go to Marker> Set Sequence Marker and choose Next or Previous, etc., or you can do the same if you context-click on the time region of the Timeline. Better still, you should use the Control + Right Arrow Key. At each marker, you should refer to the counter (or duration settings on the Monitor Window) and indicate on your dope sheet where the mark/beat is. You will use these notes to time your animation.
You can clear Timeline Markers by using either the Clip menu or the context menu.