Free Music Dictionary

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Found tempo 7 times.

Displaying results to 10.

1. A tempo
When music returns to it's normal speed the words A tempo are written above the Stave. 'tempo' in music means 'speed' rather than 'time'.

2. Accelerando, accel.
If the pulse of a piece of music is to become gradually quicker the word ACCEL. (short for accelerando) is used. A dotted line shows how long the acceleration is too last, and A tempo, or tempo 1, meaning 'primo', is written when the pulse returns to its original speed.

3. A poco a poco
Litterally means little by little. This is used for a change of tempo or volume.

4. Assai
Very. Used in tempo directions: Allegro Assai. (This is Italian, from Vulgar Latin *ad satis, to sufficiency.) eg: Adagio Assai, very slow.

5. L'istesso Tempo
The same tempo .

6. Presto
Italian for "fast". Presto is generally used as the fastest tempo marking. In 18th century music it usually means as fast as possible.

7. Vivace
Lively, brisk. When used as A tempo, generally faster than Allegro, but not as fast as Presto.