meno
An Italian musical direction meaning "less," used to modify other tempo or dynamic markings.
In Depth
Meno is one of the essential modifier words in Italian musical terminology, used to reduce the degree of whatever term it qualifies. "Meno mosso" means "less motion" (slower), "meno forte" means "less loud" (quieter), and "meno piano" means "less soft" (slightly louder). It provides composers with a flexible tool for making gradual or subtle adjustments to a performance without specifying an exact new tempo or dynamic level. The term appears frequently in score markings from the Classical period onward, often at transitional moments where the music needs to pull back slightly in energy or speed. Its counterpart is "più" (more), and the two are often used in alternation to create ebb and flow. Understanding meno and its counterpart is essential for any musician reading Italian score markings, as these modifier words appear far more frequently than standalone tempo or dynamic terms.
The word meno comes from the Latin minus, making it one of the few musical terms whose meaning is immediately guessable to English speakers.
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.