andantino
Slightly faster than andante, though historically debated.
In Depth
Andantino is one of the more ambiguous tempo markings in music. The -ino suffix in Italian usually means a little, but musicians have debated for centuries whether andantino means a little slower or a little faster than andante. Most modern interpretations treat it as slightly faster. The confusion arises because if andante is considered slow, then a little andante means a little less slow — in other words, faster. But if andante is considered moderate, a little andante could mean a touch slower. Composers from Beethoven onward generally used it to indicate a tempo just above andante.
The confusion over andantino's speed has persisted for so long that some modern music dictionaries simply list both interpretations and leave it to the performer.
Related Terms
More in Tempo
Browse alla 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.