tempo
TEM-poh
/ˈtem.pəʊ/
The speed or pace at which a passage of music is or should be played.
Specifically measures overall speed, often specified in beats per minute or traditional Italian terms.
The story behind the word. Adopted into English directly from Italian 'tempo', derived from Latin 'tempus' (time). Musicians adopted Italian dynamic terms across Europe starting in the 17th century.
Word relationships
- pace: Pace is a broad general term for rate of activity, whereas tempo has primary application in music.
- speed: Speed measures physical rate of motion generally, while tempo implies rhythmic or artistic context.
- stasis: Stasis denotes absolute lack of movement or temporal progress.
Commonly confused with
- temporal: Temporal relates to earthly time or worldliness, while tempo is the specific speed of music.
Word family
- tempos (noun): Plural form of tempo.
Collocations
- brisk tempo
- slow tempo
- upbeat tempo
Idioms & expressions
- set the tempo
Example sentences
- "The conductor signaled the orchestra to increase the tempo as the piece approached its climax." Orchestral rehearsal
Memory hook
TEMPO tells you the TIME rate of the music. Speed of the musical clock.
When not to use
Do not use to describe acoustic volume or loudness; tempo applies exclusively to speed.
Fun facts
- Italian tempo indications like 'Allegro' and 'Andante' were standardized during the Baroque era and remain universal in sheet music globally.
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