Tempo, beats, definitions
Tempo refers to the speed at which a piece of music will be played. Tempo means time in Italian.
Beat is a regular pulse which can be dictated by a metronome.
Tempo is measured with the notion of beats per minute (BMP). A fast tempo will have a high BMP number, and a low tempo will have a low BPM number.
Examples of tempo indications
Tempi (plural of tempo) can be indicated with words:
or with beat duration:
or with beats per minute (BMP) indication:
Others examples:
Tempo markings
Use of tempo marks is most commonly in Italian:
| Tempo Markings | Definition | BMP |
| Larghissimo | very, very slow | 24 |
| Grave | very slow | 25–45 |
| Largo | broadly | 40–60 |
| Lento | slowly | 45–60 |
| Larghetto | rather broadly | 60–66 |
| Adagio | at ease | 66–76 |
| Adagietto | slower than andante | 72–76 |
| Andante | at a walking pace | 76–108 |
| Andantino | faster than Andante | 80–108 |
| Andante moderato | between andante and moderato | 92–112 |
| Moderato | moderately | 108–120 |
| Allegretto | moderately fast | 112–120 |
| Allegro moderato | slower thant Allegro | 116–120 |
| Allegro | quickly, fast | 120–168 |
| Vivace | lively and fast | 168–176 |
| Vivacissimo | very fast | 172–176 |
| Allegrissimo | very fast | 172–176 |
| Allegro vivace | very fast | 172–176 |
| Presto | very, very fast | 168–200 |
| Prestissimo | faster than Presto | 200 |
Tempo change indications:
| Tempo marks | Meaning |
| Rallentando | gradually slowing |
| Ritardando | gradually slowing |
| Ritenuto | immediately slowing down |
| Stringendo | gradually speeding up |
| Accelerando | gradually speeding up |
| Meno mosso | slower |
| Più mosso | immediately faster |
| Meno mosso | immediately slower |
| A tempo | returning to a previous tempo |
| Tempo primo | returning to tempo at beginning |
| L'istesso tempo | the same tempo (when the meter changes) |
| Rubato | free adjustment of tempo for expressive purposes |
Metronome
Using a metronome is the best way to keep the tempo till stable, nothing can disturb it.
Each musician must have a metronome, it is the only tool to help you to keep the tempo stable.