AP Music Theory Unit 1 - Tempo

Metronome

Device to measure beats per minute

Larghissimo

Very, very slow (24 bpm or slower)

Grave

Very slow (25-45 bpm)

Largo

Broadly (40-60 bpm)

Lento

Slowly (45-65bpm)

Larghetto

Rather broadly (60-66 bpm)

Adagio

Slow and stately; translated to “at ease” (66-76 bpm)

Adagietto

Slower than andante (72-76 bpm)

Andante

translated to “walking” (76-108 bpm)

Andantino

Slightly faster than andante (80-108 bpm)

Marcia Moderato

Moderate, march style (83-85 bpm)

Andante Moderato

Between andante and moderato (92-112 bpm)

Moderato

Moderately (108-120 bpm)

Allegretto

Moderately Fast (112-120 bpm)

Allegro Moderato

Close, but not yet allegro (116-120 bpm)

Allegro

Fast, quickly, brightly (120-168 bpm)

Molto Allegro

Allegro that is on faster side (145-168)

Vivace

Lively and fast (168-178 bpm)

Vivacissimo

Very fast and lively (172-176 bpm)

Allegro Vivace

Very fast; aslo written “allegrissimo” (172-176 bpm)

Presto

Super fast (168-200 bpm)

Prestissimo

Even faster than presto (200+ bpm)

Rallentando

Gradually slowing down (rall.)

Ritarando

Holding back; gradually getting slower (rit.)

Ritenuto

Immediately slowing down

Accelerando

Gradually speeding up

Stringendo

Another term for accelerando; to speed up gradually, translated to “tightening”

A Piacere

Translates to “at your pleasure;” performer may use judgment

A Tempo

Returning to earlier tempo

Calando

Slowing and getting softer

Mosso

Translates to “movement;” typically paired with “piu” (more) or “meno” (less)

Rubato

Expressive change in tempo; literally translated to ‘theft,” stealing time from one beat to lengthen/emphasize another

Stretto

Faster Tempo, near end of section; may indicate slowing down to slightly show resolution or “end”

Tempo Primo

Same as “A Tempo”

Cantabile

Translated to “singing;” flowing, lyrical tempo not too fast

Assai

Translates to “very much,” usually accompanies another word for tempo meaning very much fast

Con

Translated to “with;” usually accompanies another word indicating a stylistic or articulation suggestion

Molto

Much/very

Non Troppo

Translated to “not too much”

Poco

Slightly or lightly

E Interruzione

Without pause or interuption

Subito

suddently; usually paired with either tempo or dynamic indicator