Comparative Table of Tempo Marks
from Pocket Manual of Musical Terms Ed. Theodore Baker, Nicolas Slonimsky, et al 1947 version
edited by Jeffrey Sward
 

Comparative Table of Tempo Marks

CLASS I -- INDICATING A STEADY RATE OF SPEED

Group I. General signification of terms is SLOW.

  • Larghissimo
  • Motto largo
  • Largo (broad, stately)
    • Largamente
    • Grave (heavy, dragging)
  • Lento (slow)
    • Adagiassimo
  • Adagio (slow, tranquil)
    • Adagietto
    • Andantino

Group II. General signification of terms is FAST.

  • Andante (moving, going along)
    • Moderato
    • Allegretto
    • Allegramente
  • Allegro (brisk, lively)
    • Con moto
    • Vivace
    • Agitato
    • Appassionato
  • Presto (rapid)
    • Con fuoco
    • Veloce
    • Prestissimo

CLASS II -- INDICATING ACCELERATION

  • Accelerando (with increasing rapidity)
  • Swiftly accelerating, usually with a crescendo
    • Stringendo
    • Affrettando
    • Incalzando
  • Doppio movimento (twice as fast)
  • A steady rate of speed, faster than preceding tempo
    • Piu mosso
    • Piu moto
    • Veloce

CLASS III -- INDICATING A SLACKENING IN SPEED

  • Gradually growing slower
    • Rallentando
    • Ritardando
    • Allargando
    • Tardando
    • Stentando
    • Strascinando
  • Motto meno mosso mento precedenti (half as fast)
  • A steady rate of speed, slower than preceding tempo
    • Ritenuto
    • Meno mosso
    • Meno moto
  • Growing slower and softer
    • Calando
    • Definendo
    • Mancando
    • Morendo
    • Sminuendo
    • Smorzando
 
 

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