Tempo
38 terms
BPM
Beats per minute; the standard measurement of tempo in modern music.
a tempo
Return to the original tempo after a deviation.
accelerando
A gradual increase in tempo.
adagio
A slow, leisurely tempo, typically 66-76 BPM.
agitato
Agitated; restless and hurried in character.
alla breve
Cut time; two half-note beats per measure, giving a faster feel.
allegretto
A moderately fast tempo, slightly slower than allegro.
allegro
A fast, lively tempo, typically 120-156 BPM.
andante
A walking pace tempo, typically 76-108 BPM.
andantino
Slightly faster than andante, though historically debated.
animato
With spirit; in an animated, lively manner.
appassionato
An Italian performance direction meaning "passionately," indicating intense, deeply felt emotional expression.
con brio
With spirit and vigour — a performance direction indicating lively energy.
con fuoco
An Italian performance direction meaning "with fire," indicating a passionate, fiery, and energetic character.
con moto
With motion; indicating a sense of forward movement.
doppio movimento
Twice as fast as the preceding tempo.
grave
The slowest tempo marking; very slow and solemn.
largo
A very slow, broad tempo, typically 40-66 BPM.
leggiero
Light and delicate in style.
lento
A slow tempo, similar to adagio.
maestoso
Majestic and stately in tempo and character.
meno
An Italian musical direction meaning "less," used to modify other tempo or dynamic markings.
moderato
A moderate tempo, typically 108-120 BPM.
pesante
Heavy and weighty in character and tempo.
più
An Italian musical direction meaning "more," used to intensify other tempo or dynamic markings.
prestissimo
The fastest tempo marking; extremely fast, over 200 BPM.
presto
A very fast tempo, typically 168-200 BPM.
rallentando
Gradually slowing down, similar to ritardando.
ritardando
A gradual slowing of tempo. Abbreviated as rit.
rubato types
Different applications of expressive tempo flexibility, including melodic rubato (where the melody floats over a steady accompaniment) and structural rubato (where the entire ensemble speeds up or slows down).
sostenuto
Sustained; each note held to its full value.
tempo di marcia
In march tempo; a steady, march-like pace.
tempo di valse
In waltz tempo; a lilting three-beat pattern.
tempo marking
A word or phrase indicating the speed at which a piece should be performed.
tempo primo
Return to the very first tempo of the piece.
tempo rubato
Flexible tempo where notes are slightly lengthened or shortened for expression.
tranquillo
Tranquil; calm and peaceful.
vivace
A lively, fast tempo, typically 156-176 BPM.