Classical Music: The Tempos You Need to Know

When it comes to classical music, tempo is everything. Here’s a quick guide to the most common tempo markings you’ll come across.

Introduction

In music, tempo (Italian for “time”; plural tempos, or tempi from the Italian plural) is the speed or pace of a given piece. In classical music, tempo is typically indicated with an instruction at the start of a piece (often using conventional Italian terms) and is usually measured in beats per minute (or bpm).

The ability to play or sing a piece of music at different speeds – without changing the pitch – is known as “rubato” (Italian, meaning “robbed time”).

While tempo is often described as how “fast” or “slow” a piece is, it can be more accurately thought of as the underlying pulse or beat of the music. This underlying pulse can be fast or slow, but it remains constant throughout the piece. The tempo of a piece can also be affected by other factors such as dynamics (loudness/softness), articulation (staccato/legato), and phrasing.

The Three Types of Tempo

In music, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece or section. It is measured in beats per minute (bpm) and can range from very slow to very fast. The tempo of a piece of music is usually written at the start of the score and is typically indicated with a metronome marking. There are three main types of tempo: fast, moderate, and slow.

Allegro

Allegro is an Italian tempo marking that indicates to play quickly,brightly, and cheerfully.An Allegro tempo ranges from approximately 120 beats per minute (bpm) to 168 bpm. For example, in the first movement of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, the Allegro Molto section has a tempo of 120 bpm.

Other musical examples of Allegro include:
-Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E♭ major (Eroica), Op. 55
-Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor (“From the New World”), Op. 95
-Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major

Andante

Andante is a tempo marking that indicates a moderately slow speed. In terms of beats per minute, andante ranges from approximately 76 to 108 bpm. The exact tempo you use may be slightly faster or slower, depending on the piece you’re playing and your own interpretation.

Andante comes from the Italian word for walking, so this tempo marking is sometimes also translated as “at a walking pace.” You can think of andante as a slower, more relaxed version of allegretto.

Allegro
Allegro is a tempo marking that indicates a fast, cheerful pace. In terms of beats per minute, allegro ranges from approximately 120 to 168 bpm. The exact tempo you use may be slightly faster or slower, depending on the piece you’re playing and your own interpretation.

Allegro comes from the Italian word for cheerful or merry, so this tempo marking is sometimes also translated as “quickly and cheerfully.” You can think of allegro as a faster, more upbeat version of andante.

Adagio
Adagio is a tempo marking that indicates a very slow pace. In terms of beats per minute, adagio ranges from approximately 40 to 60 bpm. The exact tempo you use may be slightly faster or slower, depending on the piece you’re playing and your own interpretation.

Adagio comes from the Italian word for slowly, so this tempo marking is sometimes also translated as “slowly and broadly.” You can think of adagio as a slower, more deliberate version of andante.

Presto

With a BPM (beats per minute) range of 168–200, presto is the fastest of tempos. It’s most commonly used in fast movements of sonatas, concertos, and symphonies. You might see it marked with the Italian word “prestissimo,” which means “very fast.” Composers often use “presto” to give performers a tempo range to work with rather than a specific BPM.

The Metronome

In music, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is measured in beats per minute (BPM). The tempo of a piece of music can be fast, moderate, or slow, and is often indicated with Italian words. The common ranges of tempo in modern music are:

How to Use a Metronome

The metronome is a tool that all classical musicians need to know how to use. While it may seem daunting at first, it is actually quite simple! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a metronome:

1. Choose the tempo you would like to play at. This can be done by either setting the metronome to a specific number of beats per minute (BPM) or by choosing a pre-set tempo from the options on the metronome.

2. Once you have chosen the tempo, start the metronome and begin playing your piece.

3. Make sure that you are keeping up with the tempo of the metronome and that each note is being played at the correct time. If you find that you are falling behind, slow down slightly until you are able to play at the correct tempo again.

4. Practice regularly with a metronome to improve your sense of time and rhythm.

By following these simple steps, you will be well on your way to becoming a master of using the metronome!

Metronome Markings

In music, a metronome is a device that produces an audible beat—a click or other sound—at regular intervals that the user can set in beats per minute (BPM). This permits the user to keep time by himself, or to co-ordinate timing with other musicians.

The metronome first appeared in 1815 by Johann Maelzel, and has since become a common tool used by musicians of all levels. Metronome markings are a way of specifying tempo, They usually appear at the beginning of pieces of classical music, but they may also be found occasionally in other genres. Expressed in beats per minute, metronome markings show how many beats there are in one minute.

For example, if a piece of music has a tempo marking of Allegro (120 BPM), it means there are 120 beats per minute, and each beat is worth one quarter note. So if you set your metronome to that speed and tap along with it, you will be playing 60 quarter notes per minute.

Here are some common metronome markings and their approximate BPM:
-Largo: 40 BPM and below
-Larghissimo: as slow as possible
-Adagio: 40 to 60 BPM
-Andante: moderate speed, approximately walking pace (70–80 BPM)
-Moderato: 108–120 BPM
-Allegretto: 116–120 BPM
-Allegro: 120–156 BPM

Conclusion

Now that you know the different types of tempo, you can start to appreciate how beautifully orchestrated classical pieces can be. By understanding the music’s tempo, you can start to feel the different emotions that the composer is trying to evoke.