Tempo and Navigation
Largo
- Looks like
- Written largo
- Asks for
- Indicates a broadly paced, generally slow tempo.
Adagio
- Looks like
- Written adagio
- Asks for
- Indicates a slow tempo with a measured, unhurried character.
Andante
- Looks like
- Written andante
- Asks for
- Indicates a moderate, walking character; actual speed varies by style.
Moderato
- Looks like
- Written moderato
- Asks for
- Indicates a moderate tempo.
Allegro
- Looks like
- Written allegro
- Asks for
- Indicates a lively or fast tempo.
Vivace
- Looks like
- Written vivace
- Asks for
- Indicates a brisk, spirited tempo.
Presto
- Looks like
- Written presto
- Asks for
- Indicates a very fast tempo.
Prestissimo
- Looks like
- Written prestissimo
- Asks for
- Indicates an extremely fast tempo.
Metronome mark
- Looks like
- A note value, an equals sign and a number (♩ = 96)
- Asks for
- Specifies a reference rate in beats per minute for the indicated note value.
Accelerando
- Looks like
- Written accel.
- Asks for
- Requests a gradual increase in tempo.
Rallentando
- Looks like
- Written rall.
- Asks for
- Requests a gradual slowing of tempo.
Ritardando
- Looks like
- Written rit.
- Asks for
- Requests a gradual slowing of tempo.
Ritenuto
- Looks like
- Written riten.
- Asks for
- Requests an immediate or more deliberate holding back of tempo.
A tempo
- Looks like
- Written a tempo
- Asks for
- Returns to the previously established tempo after a change.
Tempo primo
- Looks like
- Written tempo I
- Asks for
- Returns to the initial tempo of the movement or section.
Rubato
- Looks like
- Written rubato
- Asks for
- Allows expressive flexibility in timing within stylistic limits.
Ad libitum
- Looks like
- Written ad lib.
- Asks for
- Allows freedom of tempo or performance details as context specifies.
First ending
- Looks like
- Written 1.
- Asks for
- Indicates the passage played on the first traversal of a repeat.
Second ending
- Looks like
- Written 2.
- Asks for
- Indicates an alternative passage on a subsequent traversal.
Da capo
- Looks like
- Written D.C.
- Asks for
- Directs the performer to return to the beginning.
Dal segno
- Looks like
- Written D.S.
- Asks for
- Directs the performer to return to the marked sign.
Segno
- Looks like
- A slanted S crossed by a line, with a dot either side
- Asks for
- Marks the point to which a D.S. instruction returns.
Coda
- Looks like
- A circle crossed by a vertical and a horizontal line
- Asks for
- Marks a closing passage entered under a To Coda instruction.
Fine
- Looks like
- Written Fine
- Asks for
- Marks the designated ending point in a navigation sequence.
Da capo al Fine
- Looks like
- Written D.C. al Fine
- Asks for
- Return to the beginning and play until the Fine marking.
Dal segno al Coda
- Looks like
- Written D.S. al Coda
- Asks for
- Go back to the segno, play to the To Coda mark and then jump to the coda.
Other chapters: Staff and Clefs · Pitch and Accidentals · Note Values and Rests · Meter and Grouping · Articulation · Dynamics and Expression · Ornaments · Keyboard, Guitar and Ensemble · Jazz and Contemporary
Engraving styles differ between publishers and periods, and some signs change meaning with style or instrument.
Open the Music Symbols Atlas →