Back to alphabetical overview – click here
Tempo Marking – Definition
A tempo marking tells musicians how fast a piece of music should be performed. It usually appears at the beginning of the score and may also be used whenever the tempo changes during a composition.
What is a Tempo Marking?
Modern tempo markings often specify a note value followed by a beats-per-minute (BPM) indication, such as ♩ = 120. Music may also use traditional Italian terms such as Allegro, Andante, or Largo to indicate the intended speed and character.
Tempo markings are frequently accompanied by style indications such as Swing or Straight, which describe how the rhythm should be interpreted rather than how fast it should be played.
Why are Tempo Markings important for pianists?
Reading the tempo marking before playing helps pianists choose an appropriate speed and musical character. It also ensures accurate coordination with other musicians, backing tracks, or a metronome.
Understanding tempo markings allows pianists to prepare pieces more effectively and perform them as intended by the composer or arranger.