How Imprecise is Timing?

dsmarion
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Sun Aug 07, 2011 6:23 pm

Looking for a metronome (and trying to find out where to find what setting is to be used for a particular piece) I found the following description of timing. How imprecise is that??

[source http://www.metronomeonline.com/)

Musical tempo refers to the pacing of a piece and is an essential element of music-making. Historically, tempi were not marked with specific BPM (beats per measure) indications. This practice has become common only since the 19th century, when the metronome was invented.

Before the metronome, tempo indications were notated in words (mostly in Italian) that also conveyed moods. In some eras and genres, musical convention has been so strong that no tempo indication would be necessary.

Nevertheless, the most commonly used Italian words are as follows:

TEMPO MARKINGS

Presto - fast
Allegro - cheerful and quickly
Moderato - moderately
Andante - walking
Adagio - slowly
Lento - very slow

QUALIFIERS

assai - very
non troppo - not too much
molto - very, as in Molto Allegro or Adagio Molto
poco - slightly, as in Poco Adagio
più - more
meno – less

MOOD INDICATORS

maestoso – majestic
sostenuto – sustained
dolce – sweetly
morendo – dying (away)


dsmarion
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Sun Aug 07, 2011 6:37 pm

I have a piece of music that says "Slow, but with feeling." Assuming I could play it, and I played it slow but without feeling--would anyone know?

How slow is slow?

I find a lot of music is imprecise. It's not engineering.

Is it?

TwoCat


AndyT
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Sun Aug 07, 2011 9:51 pm

Timing notations are general indicators as you can see by the ones listed here.

Here are some rough outlines for you:
Numbers are BPM (Beats Per Minute)

Largo - 40 to 60
Larghetto - 60 to 66
Adagio -66 to 76
Andante - 76 to 108
Moderato - 108 to 120
Allegro - 120 to 168
Presto - 168 to 200
Prestissimo - 200 and up

These numbers are not set in stone. They are general guides.
As you practice the song, you will find a speed somewhere in that range that sounds good to you.


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