Expression & Tempo Text
Words above the staff can say as much as the notes themselves. Try a tempo term on the metronome, then hear what ritardando and accelerando actually do.
Tempo words instead of numbers
Long before BPM numbers were common, composers marked speed with Italian words describing a general feel rather than an exact number — leaving some room for the performer's interpretation.
| Term | Meaning | Typical BPM |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | Very slow, broad | 40–60 |
| Adagio | Slow, leisurely | 66–76 |
| Andante | Walking pace | 76–108 |
| Moderato | Moderate speed | 108–120 |
| Allegro | Fast, lively | 120–156 |
| Presto | Very fast | 168–200 |
Expression: how, not just how fast
Expression markings describe character — the mood or touch a phrase should have, beyond just its volume or speed.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dolce | Sweetly, gently |
| Cantabile | In a singing style |
| Marcato | Marked, emphasized |
| Rubato | With flexible, expressive timing |
| A tempo | Return to the original speed |
Common questions
What do Italian tempo words like Andante and Allegro mean?
They describe a speed range, not one exact number — Largo is very slow, Andante is a walking pace, Allegro is fast and lively.
What does ritardando mean?
To gradually slow the tempo down, often into a cadence or the end of a piece. Abbreviated "rit."
What does accelerando mean?
To gradually speed the tempo up, building energy. Abbreviated "accel."
What does a tempo mean?
Return to the original, main tempo after a temporary rit. or accel.
Practice at your own pace
Melody Monkey's built-in metronome and looping make expression markings easy to internalize.
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