How Imprecise is Timing?
Posted: 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)
[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)