Musicianship - Traditional Tempo Terms and BPM Ranges

Larghissimo

Very, very slow (24 bpm)

Grave

Very slow (25-45 bpm)

Largo

Broadly (40-60)

Lento

Slowly (45-60)

Larghetto

Rather broadly (60-66)

Adagio

Slow and stately; literally “at ease” (66-76)

Adagietto

Slower than andante (72-76)

Andante

At a walking pace (76-108)

Adantino

Slightly faster than andante (80-108)

Marcia moderato

Moderately, in the manner of a march (83-85)

Andante moderato

Between andante and moderato (92-112)

Moderato

Moderately (108-120)

Allegretto

Moderately fast (112-120)

Allegro moderato

Close to but not quite allegro (116-120)

Allegro

Fast, quickly, and bright (120-168)

Molto allegro

Slightly faster than allegro, but always in its range (120-168)

Vivace

Lively and fast (168-176)

Vivacissimo

Very fast and lively (172-176)

Allegrissimo

Very fast (172-176)

Allegro Vivace

Very fast (172-176)

Presto

Very, very fast (168-200)

Prestissimo

Even faster than Presto (200+)

Rallentando (Rall.)

Gradually slowing down

Ritardando (rit.)

Gradually slowing down, but not as much as rallentando

Ritenuto (riten.)

Immediately slowing down

Allargando

Growing broader; decreasing tempo, usually near the end

Stringendo

Gradually speeding up (slowly)

Accelerando (accel.)

Gradually speeding up (quickly)

Rubato

Free adjustment of tempo of expressive purposes

A piacere

“At the pleasure of the performer” - performer uses their own discretion regarding tempo and rhythm

A tempo

Resume previous tempo

Tempo Primo/Tempo I

Resume the original (first) tempo

L’istesso

At the same speed