Conducting Tempo Markings

Fixed Tempo Markings:

Prestissimo - As fast as possible

Presto - Very fast

Allegro - Fast, quickly

Allegretto - Moderately fast

Moderato - Moderately paced

Andantino - Moderately slow

Andante - Slow but moving

Adagio/Lento - Slow

Larghetto - Very slow but moving

Largo - Very slow and broad

Grave - Very slow and heavy

Variations in Tempo:

Ritardando - Gradually slower

Rallentando - Gradually slower and broader

Ritenudo - Suddenly slower

Allargando - Gradually slower and louder

Calando - Gradually slower and softer

Sostenuto - Sustaining

Accelerando - Gradually faster

Stringendo - Gradually faster and hastening

Piu allegro - More lively

Piu mosso - More motion

Meno mosso - Less motion

Morendo - Dying away

Tempo rubato - Taken freely

A piacere - At pleasure

Tempo giusto - In exact tempo

Alla misura - Strict tempo

Senza misura - Freely

A tempo - Previous tempo

Tempo primo - First tempo

L’istesso tempo - Same tempo

Metronome Markings:

Largo - 42 to 66

Lento - 52 to 108

Adagio - 50 to 76

Andante - 56 to 88

Moderato - 66 to 126

Allegro - 84 to 144

Vivace - 80 to 160

Presto - 100 to 152