Contents
Music Reading Fundamentals
How to Read the Pitches of Notes
How to Read the Rhythm of Notes
An Example of Standard Notation
How to Read the Notes of the Grand Staff
How to Read Notes and Rests in Music
How to Read Repeat Signs in Written Music
How to Read Key Signatures
How to Read Time Signatures
How to Read and Interpret Tempos in Music
Dynamics and Articulation in Written Music
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How to Read and Interpret Tempos in Music
The tempo (Italian for “time”) is the speed at which a piece of music should be played. Standard notation can indicate tempo either generally or specifically:
- Generally: Italian words, such as adagio (slow), written just above the staff, give the musician a general sense of how quickly or slowly to play a piece or a section of a piece.
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Specifically: A beats-per-minute (BPM) number at the start of a piece indicates the beat duration, or specific length of each actual beat. The BPM indicator includes a number, such as 120, and a specific type of note, such as a quarter note, separated by an equal sign. The note in the BPM indicator tells the musician which type of note gets the beat. For instance, a BPM indicator that says a quarter note equals 120 means that the musician should play the piece at a pace at which 120 quarter notes would sound in one minute.
The Main Types of Tempos
There are dozens of tempo indications in standard notation. The table below shows the most common tempos. The column that shows beat per minute (BPM) ranges assumes that a quarter note gets one beat. Note that the BPM ranges of each tempo tend to overlap—this is intentional.
Italian |
Meaning |
BPM Range |
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Largo |
Very slow |
42–66 BPM |
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Lento |
Slow and steady |
52–108 BPM |
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Adagio |
Slow but lilting |
50–76 BPM |
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Andante |
Leisurely walking pace |
56–88 BPM |
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Moderato |
Moderate speed—not fast or slow |
66–126 BPM |
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Vivace |
Quick and lively but not fast |
80–160 BPM |
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Allegro |
Fast and vigorous |
84–144 BPM |
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Presto |
Very fast |
100–152 BPM |
Using a Metronome to Play Music at the Proper Tempo
Musicians use a metronome to count out precise tempos based on the BPM number. A metronome is a mechanical or electronic device that counts out specific BPMs by emitting a beep or a pulse of light. The musician sets the BPM on the metronome and then plays the piece, following its beeps or blinks. Metronomes are an essential tool for all musicians, especially for those who are learning to read music and trying to play pieces at their proper tempo. You can buy a metronome at a local music store or online for about $20–30.
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