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Tempo and Dynamics

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In the western musical system, meter tells us how many beats are in a measure, but it doesn't tell us whether these beats occur slowly or rapidly. The tempo, or rate of speed, of the music provides this answer. Thus, the flow of music in time involves both meter and tempo.

Tempo carries emotional implications. For example, we will hurry our speech in moments of agitation or eagerness. Vigor and gaiety are associated with a brisk speed, just as despair or sadness generally demands a slow one. Music moves in time, and the pace is of prime importance. It draws the listeners in by their responses, both physical and emotional.

Thus, tempo and mood have a close connection. Tempo markings indicate the character of the music as well as the pace. By tradition, the markings along with other indications of expression are given in Italian. This is due to the domination of Italian music in Europe during the period from around 1600 to 1750, when such performance directions were established.

Some of the most common tempo markings are:

grave	solemn (very, very slow)
largo	broad (very slow)
adagio	quite slow
andante	a walking pace
moderato	moderate
allegro	fast (cheerful)
vivace	lively
presto	very fast

Modifying adverbs such as molto(very), meno(less), poco(a little), and non troppo(not too much) are frequently used to describe changes within a piece of music or added to the tempo marking at the top of the music score. For example, meno andante would be less walking pace.

Of great importance are the terms, which indicate a change of tempo within the piece. For example, accelerando(getting faster), ritardando(holding back, or getting slower), and a tempo(in time, or returning to the original pace).

Dynamics denote the volume (degree of loudness or softness) at which music is to be played. Like tempo, dynamics can affect our emotions. The main dynamic indications are based on the Italian words for soft(piano) and loud(forte).

Examples are:

pianissimo(pp)	very soft
piano(p)	soft
mezzo piano(mp)	moderately soft
mezzo forte(mf)	moderately loud
forte(f)	loud
fortissimo(ff)	very loud

Directions to change the dynamics, either suddenly or gradually, are indicated by words or signs. Three of the most common ones are crescendo(growing louder), decrescendo or diminuendo(growing softer), and sforzando(sf) which means an accent on a single note or chord.

The composer to help shape the expressive content of a work adds markings for tempo and dynamics. These marks steadily increased in number during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Composers tried to make their intentions known as precise as possible, until in the early twentieth century few decisions were left to the performer.

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