Tempo

The tempo is the speed at which music is played. This is usually denoted with a word on top of the first measure. The speed remains the same throughout the piece unless another section begins with a different word on top of its first measure (i.e. in sonatas, a slow Andante section can follow fast Allegro section) or there's a temporary speed change as indicated by a word between the top and bottom staves (ritardando).

In the above piece, the tempo is Allegro, which means fast. This speed remains the same until a temporary slowdown, as noted by rit.

Name Definition
A Tempo Return to the original speed
Accelerando Gradually faster
Adagio Very slow
Allargando Gradually slower
Allegro Fast
Allegretto Slightly slower than Allegro
Andante Moderate walking tempo
Andantino Slightly faster than Andante
Largo Very, very slow
Lento Slow
Moderato Moderate speed
Presto Very fast
Rallentando Gradually slower
Ritardando (rit.) Gradually slower
Ritenuto Immediately slower
Vivace Quick and lively
Vivo Brisk and lively

Furthermore, several words can be added to the front of the terms above to indicate a little more/less fast/slow.

Name Definition
Molto Very (molto Allegro: very fast)
Piu More (piu mosso: more motion: faster)
Poco Little (poco Andante: little slow)
-etto
-ino		 A little (i.e. Allegretto is a little slower than Allegro and Andantino is a little faster than Andante)

Review

  1. The tempo is the speed of music.

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