The speed of the beat, usually given as beats per minute or by an Italian marking such as allegro or adagio.
Also called: speed, tempo marking
Tempo is the speed at which the beat moves. A faster tempo fits more beats into each minute, and a slower tempo spreads them out. Composers mark tempo with Italian words such as adagio, andante and allegro, and often add a metronome mark such as quarter note equals 96. A metronome mark gives an exact rate, while an Italian word gives a general speed that performers interpret. A piece marked at 120 beats per minute keeps that rate for its whole length unless the marking changes. The same written notes last longer at a slower tempo. At 60 beats per minute a quarter note lasts one second, and at 120 it lasts half a second. Changes of tempo are written as new markings, or as accelerando and ritardando.
Fundamentals
Italian tempo words run from slow to fast. Approximate beats-per-minute bands for each, the modifiers and transitions that change them, and why a metronome number needs a time signature.