Here are the terms and definitions for tempo that we use in music class. Please note that all tempo terms are in Italian.
Tempo – The speed at which the beat or music moves
Largo – very, very slow
Lento – very slow
Adagio – slow
Andante – walking tempo
Moderato – moderate or medium tempo
Allegretto – faster than moderato but slower than allegro
Allegro – fast
Vivace – very fast
Presto – extremely fast
Accelerando – to get faster
Ritardando – to get slower (rit.)
Poco a poco – little by little
Metronome – a device used by composers and musicians to keep a steady tempo or beat.
Used extensively by Ludwig Van Beethoven
In music a metronome marking would look like this:
MM =120
This means 120 beats per minute.
12/11/2002