Conducting Music Tempo Markings Quiz

Tempo Markings and Definitions

• Larghissimo: Very, very slow, typically 20 bpm and below.
• Grave: Slow and solemn, ranging from 20 to 40 bpm.
• Lento: Slow tempo, between 40 to 60 bpm.
• Largo: Broad and slow, within the range of 40 to 60 bpm.
• Larghetto: Rather broad, slightly faster than Largo, 60 to 66 bpm.
• Adagio: Slow and stately tempo, literally means "at ease," ranging from 66 to 76 bpm.
• Adagietto: Rather slow, clocking in from 70 to 80 bpm.
• Andante moderato: A tempo that is slightly slower than Andante.
• Andante: At a walking pace, typically 76 to 108 bpm.
• Andantino: Slightly faster than Andante.
• Moderato: A moderate speed, defined as 108 to 120 bpm.
• Allegretto: Moderately fast, but slower than Allegro.
• Allegro moderato: Moderately quick, between 112 to 124 bpm.
• Allegro: Fast, quickly, and bright, typically ranging from 120 to 168 bpm.
• Vivace: Lively and fast, roughly around 140 bpm, quicker than Allegro.
• Vivacissimo: Very fast and lively tempo.
• Allegrissimo: Very fast.
• Presto: Extremely fast, ranging from 168 to 200 bpm.
• Prestissimo: Extremely fast, exceeding 200 bpm.

Time Signatures and Conducting Beats

• 6/8 Pattern: The 1st beat is conducted down, while the 6th beat is conducted up.
• 4/4 Pattern: In this structure, the 1st beat is down, and the 4th beat is up.
• 3/4 Pattern: Conducting has the 1st beat down and the 3rd beat up.

Musical Concepts

• Ictus: The point of the beat, can be either oral or physical.
• Rubato: A flexible tempo, often interpreted as "to steal" time or rhythm.
• Allegro: A term meaning cheerful and lively.
• Andante: Translates to "walking speed" or a leisurely stroll.
• Accelerando: Indicates gradually increasing speed in tempo.
• Presto: Means very fast tempo.
• Moderato: Described as moderately paced.
• Largo: Refers to a broad and slow pace.
• Adagio: Simply means slow tempo.