Without expressive elements of music, the music we hear would be quite plain and boring.
Expressive elements include dynamics, articulation, and tempo.
Tempo explains the speed of the beat in music. t is typically measured in beats per minute (bpm) and indicated at the beginning of a piece of sheet music with a metronome marking. The tempo of a piece of music can affect its mood and can vary widely, from slow and solemn to fast and energetic.
At the start of the written Western music tradition, the Italian language 🇮🇹 was used in all the tempo markings, regardless of one's nationality. Throughout music history, other languages have also been used for both tempo markings and all expression markings, especially from the German 🇩🇪, French 🇫🇷, and English 🇬🇧 linguistic and musical traditions.
Today, we continue to use the Italian terminology to indicate tempi (the Italian plural for tempos) that are fast, slow and everything in between. Performers are held responsible for learning the meaning of the tempo markings, regardless of the language.
Sometimes, instead of a tempo marking, a composer will just write a metronome marking, which indicates how many BPM, or Beats Per Minute, a piece should be played. For example, a composition may label the start of a piece or a movement with the following:
This would mean that the quarter note receives a BPM of 60.
The most widely-used Italian tempo indicators, from slowest to fastest, are:
- *Grave—*slow and solemn (20–40 BPM)
- *Lento—*slowly (40–45 BPM)
- *Largo—*broadly (45–50 BPM)
- *Larghetto—*rather broadly (60-66 BPM)
- *Adagio—*slow and stately (literally, “at ease”) (66–73 BPM)
- *Andante—*at a walking pace (73–77 BPM)
- *Andantino—*slightly faster walking pace (78–83 BPM)
- *Moderato—*moderately (86–97 BPM)
- *Allegretto—*moderately fast (98–109 BPM)
- *Allegro—*fast, quickly and bright (109–132 BPM)
- *Vivace—*lively and fast (132–140 BPM)
- *Presto—*extremely fast (168–177 BPM)
- *Prestissimo—*even faster than Presto (178 BPM and over)
You must know these terms for the AP Music Theory test! Note that while the beats per minute are given for each of the tempo markings, they are not hard and fast rules. Instead, think of tempo markings as feelings or moods that you want to encapture. For example, Andante or Andantino is in fact slower than Vivace, but a piece in Andante is also more casual, laid back, and measured because pieces in Andante want to capture the feeling of "walking".
It is helpful to know what the exact translations of the Italian tempo markings are in English. For example, "grave" means "serious" and "ellegro" means "cheerful." These are the feelings that you want to capture when you are interpreting a piece. Often, if you're unsure about the exact tempo marking on a piece, you might be able to guess based on both the mood and the speed.
The beats per minute also might not be a good measure of tempo because the feeling of tempo depends on how many beat divisions there are. Listen to Rachmaninoff's Moment Musicaux No. 4. If I told you that it is in common time, what tempo marking do you think is given? If you said Presto, you would be correct! But how many beats per minute do you think there are? Believe it or not, one quarter note (one beat) is 104 bpm.
Still, it is important to have a good idea of what different tempo markings sound like.
Click below to hear what largo at 44 BPM sounds like.
Listen to the speed of 44 metronome BPM!
Click below to hear what prestissimo at 184 BPM sounds like.
Listen to the speed of 184 metronome BPM!
🦜 Polly wants a progress tracker: Between largo and larghetto, which is faster? Between allegretto and allegro, which is slower?
Changes in Tempo
To alter the tempo, there are also a few tempo marking in Italian we need to learn:
- *Ritardando—*slowing down gradually
- *Ritenuto—*slowing down abruptly
- Acclerando—slowly speeding up
- *Rubato—*freedom with the tempo
Ritardando is a musical term that means "slowing down." It is often used in sheet music to indicate that the tempo of the music should slow down gradually. Ritardando is typically used to add expression and drama to a piece of music. It is also often used at the end of a phrase or section to create a sense of resolution or to build suspense.
In sheet music, ritardando can be indicated by the abbreviation "rit." followed by a dotted line, which indicates the extent of the tempo change. The performer should use their discretion and musical judgment to determine the exact speed at which to play the ritardando. Usually, the composer will not write ritardando to x amount of tempo, or ritardando until x measure. You should use the phrasing and the part of the piece in which the ritardando is located to determine these details.
Sometimes, you'll see a slowing down called "ralletando." You are not required to know this for the AP exam, but for your own musical knowledge, you might wonder what the difference is between the two tempo markings. Usually, rallentando is more dramatic: it is an expressive and intentional slowing down. Usually, rallentando is accompanied by a diminuendo (where the volume gets quieter). Ritardando might be expressive, but it might also be very subtle.
A specific type of ritardando is called a ritenuto, which means slowing down abruptly. Funnily enough, ritenuto is also usually written as "rit." in sheet music. Usually, you can tell whether something is a ritenuto or a ritardando based on the context, and sometimes, the dotted line following the "rit." However, some composers just don't use the dotted line at all, so you should rely mostly on context clues. If you do find a dotted line, though, you can use it to figure out the length of the ritenuto.
Accelerando is a term used to indicate that the tempo or speed of the music should gradually increase. It is abbreviated as "accel." and is often written in Italian as "accelerando" or "a tempo". The term is typically found in written musical scores and is used to instruct the performers to gradually speed up the tempo of the piece as they play. This can be achieved by increasing the speed at which the notes are played or by simply playing the notes more loudly and with more energy, which can give the impression of an increase in tempo.
Sometimes, an accelerando is written as "stringendo," which also tells the musician to speed up. Just like rallentando, stringendo is a more intense version of accelerando. It literally translates to "tightening."
It's harder to find examples of accelerando in music, but one famous one is Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King." Although this has several measures becoming increasingly faster, it is not always the case that accelerando has to occur over lots of measures. It might just be one or two measures that are getting faster.
After any of the above tempo markings, you might see the phrase "poco a poco," meaning little by little. This is common in some types of music, but not others.
Finally, rubato is a musical term that refers to the flexibility of tempo in a piece of music. It literally means "stolen time," and is often described as a "give and take" of tempo, where the musician speeds up or slows down slightly for expressive purposes.
Rubato is typically used in solo instrumental music or in singing, and is usually notated in the sheet music with specific instructions for the performer. It is important for the performer to use rubato tastefully and not disrupt the overall flow of the music.
Rubato can be used to add interest and expression to a performance, but it should be used with caution and in moderation. In some styles of music, such as classical music, rubato is more commonly used, while in other styles, such as jazz or rock, a more steady tempo is generally preferred.
In classical music, rubato has a very interesting history. It was not used at all in the Baroque period, and it was used very sparingly in the classical period -- it is unlikely that you will find a rubato marking in Bach or Mozart. Beethoven was largely responsible for pushing us into the Romantic period, so rubatos were used in some of his later works. As we move into the Romantic and Modern periods of music, though, we again might not see rubatos, because we just assume that they are there! Chopin's Nocturnes, for example, will very rarely indicate "rubato" on the score, but there is a great deal of push and pull in the music.
🦜 Polly wants a progress tracker! Listen to Debussy's Arabesque No. 1. What do you think is the overall tempo marking? Do you notice ritardandos, accelerandos, and rubatos? What musical period do you think it was written in?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between allegro and allegretto?
Allegro vs. allegretto: both are Italian tempo markings that tell you the relative speed of the beat (DES-3.A.1). Allegro means “fast, lively”—generally a quick, energetic tempo used for brisk movements. Allegretto literally means “a little cheerful” and is slightly slower than allegro; it’s lighter and moderately quick (faster than andante/andantino but not as fast as allegro). On exams you only need to identify their relative meanings (word-based tempo) or match them to context or metronome markings if given—composers may also supply a bpm (e.g., quarter = 120) to be precise. For a quick reference and practice matching words to tempos, check the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and try practice problems at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
How do I know if a piece is supposed to be played fast or slow just from looking at the sheet music?
Look at the top (and at section changes) for either a word or a metronome marking. If you see an Italian word, that tells you relative speed: very slow (grave, largo, larghetto), slow (lento, adagio), moderately slow (andante, andantino), moderate (moderato), faster (allegretto, allegro, vivace, presto, prestissimo). A metronome marking gives exact BPM (e.g., quarter = 88), so that’s the most precise. Also scan the score for tempo adjustments during the piece: accelerando (speed up), ritardando or rallentando (slow down gradually), ritenuto (sudden slight slow), and rubato (flexible timing). Tempo markings are usually at the start of a movement/section, so check repeats and new sections. The AP CED expects you to know those Italian terms and metronome markings (DES-3.A). Want more practice identifying them? Use the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and the unit/practice pages (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1 and https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
I don't understand what accelerando means - does it make the whole song faster?
Accelerando (accel.) means “gradually getting faster”—it tells performers to increase the speed of the beat pulse over a passage, not that the entire piece suddenly becomes permanently faster. On the score you’ll usually see it where the composer wants motion to build toward a climax or transition; it can last a few beats, several measures, or a whole section depending on the music. The CED lists accelerando as a direction to adjust the prevailing tempo (DES-3.A.2), so on the AP exam you should be able to identify it and apply it in context. Contrast it with ritardando (gradually slower), ritenuto (more sudden slowing), and rubato (flexible timing). For a focused review, see the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU), the unit overview (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1), and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory) to spot how composers use accelerando in real excerpts.
What does quarter note = 120 mean on my music and how do I use that?
"Quarter note = 120" is a metronome marking: the quarter note is the beat and there are 120 beats per minute (BPM). Practically, set a metronome to 120 and each click = one quarter note. Use it to keep steady pulse, count subdivisions (e.g., eighths = 2 clicks per beat) and measure phrase lengths (4 beats per common time bar). If the score later says accelerando/ritardando or a word like moderato/allegro, follow the written adjustment—metronome markings usually show the intended starting speed (DES-3.A.1). On the AP exam you should be able to identify and apply metronome markings and tempo words (DES-3.A). For guided review see the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and for lots of practice questions go to (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
How do I apply rubato without messing up the rhythm completely?
Rubato means “stolen time”: small expressive push/pull against the beat, not random timing. To use it without wrecking rhythm, keep an underlying pulse in your head or lightly implied in another voice (tap quarter-note pulse while you phrase). Make small, purposeful changes: slight ritard into a cadence, a brief accel out of a phrase, or a relaxed rubato over a long note. Practice in two steps: (1) play with a metronome at the marked tempo, (2) rehearse the rubato phrase while still imagining the original beat so you can return precisely. If you’re in an ensemble, cue clearly and let accompanists lead changes—don’t alter barlines unless score indicates. On the AP exam, know that rubato is a tempo-direction term indicating freedom with tempo (CED DES-3.A.2); you may be asked to identify or apply it. For guided examples and review, check the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and hit Fiveable’s practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory) to practice applying tempo adjustments.
Can someone explain all the Italian tempo words from slowest to fastest?
Here's a quick ordered list of the Italian tempo words from slowest to fastest (exact terms the AP CED requires you to know): - very slow: grave, largo, larghetto - slow: lento, adagio - moderately slow: andante, andantino - moderate: moderato - faster: allegretto, allegro, vivace, presto, prestissimo Remember: the AP exam expects you to recognize these terms and apply them (DES-3.A.1). Composers can also give a metronome marking (e.g., quarter = 88) for precision, and you may see directions that change tempo like accelerando (speed up), ritardando or ritenuto (slow down), and rubato (flexible timing) (DES-3.A.2). For a compact study guide and practice, check the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU), the Unit 1 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1), and thousands of practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
What's the difference between ritardando and ritenuto - they both seem like slowing down?
They both tell you to slow down, but how you slow is different. Ritardando (rit., ritard.) means “gradually slow down”—you ease the beat over several measures. Ritenuto (riten., ritenuto) means “held back” or a more immediate reduction in tempo—think a quick, brief settling into a slightly slower pace (often for a phrase or a few beats), not a long, drawn-out rallentando. The CED specifically lists ritardando as gradual and ritenuto as abrupt (DES-3.A.2), so on the AP exam know ritardando = gradual slowdown and ritenuto = more immediate/short hold. For extra review, check the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and practice many examples at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
How do I mark tempo changes in my composition for my AP portfolio?
Mark tempo clearly and simply. At the start of each movement/section put a tempo word (e.g., Andante, Allegro) and, if you want precision, a metronome marking (q = 88). For changes within the piece: - Gradual changes: write accelerando or ritardando above the staff; add a dashed line or hairpin (>) to show how long the change lasts. If you reach a new steady speed, put the new tempo word or metronome marking where it stabilizes. - Sudden changes: use ritenuto or subito (e.g., subito piano with ritenuto), and place it exactly where the change happens. - Flexible/expressive time: mark rubato (or rubato ad lib.) and indicate which instrument(s) it applies to. - Be consistent: place markings above the top staff, use standard Italian terms from the CED, and include metronome numbers when you need exact tempos. These are exactly the kinds of markings AP expects you to know (see DES-3.A and DES-3.A.1–2). For examples and practice, check the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and more practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
I'm confused about when to use metronome markings versus Italian tempo words in my pieces.
Use Italian words when you want to indicate the character/relative speed (largo, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, presto, etc.). Those are what the AP CED asks you to know and what performers read to get a general feel (DES-3.A.1). Use a metronome marking (e.g., quarter = 88) when you need exact tempo—common in modern editions, recordings, or ensemble parts where precision matters. It’s fine to include both: Italian term for character + metronome marking for exact BPM. Also remember tempo adjustments (accelerando, ritardando, ritenuto, rubato) can appear later in a score to change the prevailing pulse (DES-3.A.2). For AP prep, focus on learning the Italian terms listed in the CED and recognizing metronome markings on scores. For a quick refresher, check the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and practice examples on the Unit 1 page (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1).
What does andante actually feel like when I'm playing - is it walking speed?
Short answer: yes—andante is usually described as a “walking” tempo, meaning moderately slow but steady—but it’s relative, not a strict speed. The AP CED lists andante as a moderately slow speed (DES-3.A.1), so when you see andante you should play with a relaxed, comfortable pulse that feels like walking rather than rushed or dragging. Important: composers often add a metronome marking (e.g., quarter = 80) that overrides fuzzy word meanings, and performers choose the exact pace based on style, ensemble, and context (rubato, ritard., accelerando can change it). On the AP exam you need to recognize the term’s meaning and that metronome markings give exact beats per minute (DES-3.A.1–2). For quick review, see the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU). Want more practice? Try the Unit 1 resources (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1) and >1,000 practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
How do I perform accelerando smoothly without it sounding rushed or choppy?
Think of accelerando as many tiny tempo changes, not one big jump. Practice this way: - Decide the start and end BPM, then break that range into small steps (e.g., +2–5 BPM every 2–4 beats). Use a metronome that can speed up or set incremental clicks. - Always subdivide the beat in your head (or with a light click) so inner pulse stays steady while the surface speeds. - Keep articulation, dynamics, and breath consistent—don’t lengthen notes or tense up; use a gradual dynamic (often a slight crescendo) to help momentum. - Practice slowly with a click that accelerates, then remove the click and aim to match the internal subdivision. Record yourself to catch choppy spots. - Musically, tie the accelerando to phrase shape (prepare it, peak, then stabilize or return) so it feels intentional. On the AP exam you only need to identify accelerando as an instruction to increase tempo (DES-3.A.2). For practice and examples, see the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and Unit 1 resources (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1). For more exercises, check the practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
Do I need to memorize all the Italian tempo terms for the AP exam or just some of them?
Short answer: you only need to memorize the Italian tempo terms listed in the CED. The exam expects specific meanings for the terms in DES-3.A.1 and the adjustment terms in DES-3.A.2—not every possible tempo word in every language. Memorize these words and their relative speeds: largo, larghetto, grave, lento, adagio, andante, andantino, moderato, allegretto, allegro, vivace, presto, prestissimo. Also learn tempo adjustments: accelerando, ritardando, ritenuto, and rubato, plus how metronome markings work (e.g., quarter = 88). That’s the vocabulary AP will test. If you want a focused review and quick practice, use the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and hit the Unit 1 review or the 1,000+ practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
What's the difference between largo and grave - aren't they both really slow?
Short answer: yes—they’re both very slow, but they mean slightly different things. In AP terms both appear in the “very slow” category (DES-3.A.1), but largo = broad, expansive and sung/breathed slowly; grave = slow with a weighty, solemn character. Practically that means performers treat grave as more serious/weighty and largo as more spacious/broad. Composers may instead give a metronome marking (e.g., quarter = X) to fix the exact speed, and performers follow any tempo adjustments like ritardando or rubato if indicated. For CED-style questions, recognize both as “very slow” but note the expressive difference if the score or prompt asks about character. Review Topic 1.9 on Fiveable (study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and try practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory) to see examples.
How do I interpret rubato in classical pieces versus jazz pieces?
In AP terms, rubato is a direction that suggests freedom with tempo (DES-3.A.2). In classical pieces rubato usually means small, expressive pulls and pushes around a steady underlying pulse—phrases get flexible but the ensemble or accompanimental harmony often implies the beat should be recovered (think Chopin: expressive tempo changes tied to phrase shape). In jazz, “rubato” or rubato-like freedom is more often a soloistic, conversational looseness: a soloist may stretch time over bars while rhythm section either follows loosely or lays out entirely until the solo reestablishes the groove. For the exam, just be able to identify rubato as tempo freedom and distinguish it from explicit markings like accelerando/ritardando (DES-3.A.1–2). If you want quick review, check the Topic 1.9 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and practice examples at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).
I don't understand where tempo markings go in sheet music - do they go at the beginning of every measure?
Short answer: no—tempo markings are not written at the start of every measure. The CED says tempo markings (words like allegro, adagio, or a metronome marking such as quarter = 88) are typically placed at the start of a movement or a new section. If the composer wants a change mid-piece, you’ll see explicit directions (accelerando, ritardando, ritenuto, rubato) written where the change should begin—usually above the staff at that measure—but you don’t repeat the tempo each bar. For the AP exam, be sure you can ID the Italian tempo words in DES-3.A.1 and recognize metronome markings and tempo-change terms from DES-3.A.2. Review Topic 1.9 on Fiveable (https://library.fiveable.me/music-theory/unit-1/tempo/study-guide/YY712P5xN8ElbopssVuU) and drill more practice questions at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/music-theory).