Tempo Terms
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alongez
The French musical term "alongez" affects the tempo of the music; learn the meaning, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of alongez. View Musical Terms A - Z or View All Rhythm & Tempo Terms.
bracket
A horizontal bracket -- not to be confused with a volta bracket -- is used to rhythmically organize notes inside a tuplet; or to group together notes that may not be connected by a note beam. Learn more about how horizontal brackets are used in piano music, and why they can ease the reading of musical notation.
Beats per Minute (BPM)
Beats per minute (BPM) are marked in piano music with numbers as metronome marks; or with tempo terms, often in Italian. Learn the meaning of BPM, and see how it affects piano music.
bird's eye
A bird's eye is a very common symbol in piano music. Learn the more common word for "bird's eye," and see how it's marked in piano music.
dotted note
A dotted note (not to be confused with staccato) is a note with a small dot to the right of its note-head, which increases its length by 50%; half of its original value. Double and triple-dotted notes are less common, but are seen in piano music. Learn how to count dotted notes and music rests easily, and how they're written on different parts of the staff.
duplet
A duplet is a group of two notes that fits in the length of three of its note-type; an eighth-note duplet spans the length of three 8th notes of normal length. Learn how to count, play, and notate duplets, and perfect your irrational rhythm with helpful audio examples.
fermata
A fermata is a very common symbol in piano music, and one of the first you will learn. A fermata, or bird's eye, affects articulation. Learn the meaning of the Italian musical term "fermata," and see how it's marked in piano music.
note beam
A note beam attaches smaller note-values together, organizing them rhythmically, and making them easier to read. Depending on the time signature, eighth-notes may be beamed together by twos, threes, or fours; though this doesn't affect the notation's rhythm. Learn more about using note beams, and how to write them with different note-lengths.
rest
Musical rests are symbols that replace notes in a measure, and follow a few key rules. Learn about musical rests, and see how they're written in piano music.
time signature
A time signature is a large fraction written at the beginning of a musical staff after its clef and key signature. It explains the meter of a song; the top number shows how many beats are in a measure, and the bottom number specifies the length of the main beat. Learn more about time signatures; which are most commonly seen, and the difference...
tuplet
A "tuplet" is group of notes that fits inside the length of another note-value. Tuplets are grouped together with a beam, bracket, or slur, and are marked with a small number or ratio. Among the most common tuplets is the eighth-note (quaver) triplet -- three notes that spans the length of one quarter-note (crochet). Learn how to count and notate different tuplets, and perfect your rhythm with audio examples.
larghetto
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'larghetto.'
tempo giusto
Learn the meaning, pronunciation & multilingual synonyms of the Italian musical phrase "tempo giusto," and see how it's used in piano music.
tranquillamente
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'tranquillamente.'
larghissimo
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'larghissimo.'
lent
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'lent.'
rapidamente
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'rapidamente.'
rasch
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the German tempo command 'rasch.'
rapidement
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'rapidement.'
grave
The Italian musical term "grave" is pronounced "graah-vay." Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'grave.'
schwer
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the German tempo command 'schwer.'
gemächlich
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the German tempo command 'gemächlich.'
tranquillement
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'tranquillement.'
tranquille
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'tranquille.'
prestissimo
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'prestissimo.'
extrêmement rapide
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'extrêmement rapide.'
äusserst schnell
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the German tempo command 'äusserst schnell.'
extrêmement large
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'extrêmement large.'
largement
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'largement.'
lento assai
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'lento assai.'
très lent
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'très lent.'
assez large
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'assez large.'
etwas breit
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the German tempo command 'etwas breit.'
äusserst breit
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the German tempo command 'äusserst breit.'
largo assai
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'largo assai.'
sehr breit
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the German tempo command 'sehr breit.'
très large
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'très large.'
allègre
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'allègre.'
allegro moderato
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'allegro moderato.'
lustig
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the German tempo command 'lustig.'
andante moderato
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'andante moderato.'
molto allegro
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'molto allegro.'
ziemlich ruhig
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the German tempo command 'ziemlich ruhig.'
très rapide
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the French tempo command 'très rapide.'
vivacissimo
Learn the meaning, BPM, pronunciation, and multilingual synonyms of the Italian tempo command 'vivacissimo.'