tempo

Definition: Tempo, Italian for “time,” indicates the speed of a song; the rate at which beats are repeated. Tempo is measured in beats per minute (BPM), which is indicated at the beginning of sheet music in two ways:

1. Metronome marks: ♪ = 76


2. Tempo terms (often in Italian): Adagio is around 76 BPM

The plural of tempo is tempi, but the anglicized “tempos” is more common.

More About Tempo:

 ►  Tempo Marks In-Depth
 ►  Understanding Time Signatures
 ►  Take the Rhythm & Tempo Quiz

Also Known As:

• mouvement (Fr)
• Zeitmass (Ger)

Pronunciation: tem'-poh


More Tempo Terminology:

• alla breve
• common time
• accelerando
• tempo primo


• rubato
• irrational rhythm
• a tempo
• (rall.) rallentando