How to Read Tempo Markings in Sheet Music

You can know the key, time signature and even style of a piece of music, but without knowing the tempo you can't play it properly. Composers and songwriters generally specify tempo by writing a word on the sheet music, such as "allegro" or "andante." Occasionally, however, they'll actually specify the tempo in terms of beats per minute, which is more accurate and easier to follow.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Skim through the piece of sheet music you're about to play and look for its tempo markings. This is especially important when sight-reading a piece for the first time.
2. Watch for terms like "lento," "largo" and "grave" that indicate a very slow tempo. These tempi fall somewhere between 40 and 60 beats per minute and convey a solemn, flowing mood.
3. Keep an eye out for words like "adagio," "adagietto" and "andante." These imply a moderately slow tempo that falls somewhere between 60 to 100 beats per minute.
4. Look for phrases like "moderato," "allegretto," "allegro moderato" and "allegro." These all specify tempi ranging from 110 to 168 beats per minute and are much livelier than the more moderate markings like "andante."
5. Check for words like "vivace," "presto" and "prestissimo." These indicate very quick tempi that can move as quickly as 200 beats per minute. This is over three beats per second and conveys a lively, nearly frantic mood.

Tips & Warnings

• Many contemporary composers now mark tempi in English, making your job of understanding their directions a bit easier.
• Each of these sheet music markings acts more like a stylistic guide than a hard-and-fast rule about how fast you should play the piece. Don't be afraid to stray from the beat if the music moves you.