Below is is a powerpoint on tempo and dynamics. Since this module deals with Time (tempo. beat, meter, and rhythm) concern yourself with slides 1-15. (The remaining slides deal with dynamics discussed in Module 4.)
http://www.slideshare.net/CandelaContent/tempo-and-dynamics-51357214
Definition
The definition of Tempo is the speed or pace of a piece. It is often represented at the beginning of music – as beats per minute.
Tempo designations – Tempo is displayed using two methods:
1. Terms – Our discussion of tempo in music we hear will focus on the tempo descriptions shown below. Most of these words are Italian, because many of the most important composers of the 17th century were Italian. For example, presto and allegro both indicate a more speedy tempo
Larghetto – not quite as slow as largo (“lar-GET-oh”)
Grave – very slow and solemn (pronounced “GRAH-vay”
Largo – slow and broad (“LAR-go”)
Adagio – slow (“uh-DAH-jee-oh”)
Lento – slow (“LEN-toe”)
Andante – literally “walking”, a medium slow tempo (“on-DON-tay”)
Moderato – moderate, or medium (“MOD-er-AH-toe”)
Allegretto – Not as fast as allegro (“AL-luh-GRET-oh”)
Allegro – fast (“uh-LAY-grow”)
Vivo, or Vivace – lively and brisk (“VEE-voh”)
Presto – very fast (“PRESS-toe”)
Prestissimo – very, very fast (“press-TEE-see-moe”)
Metronome Markings
Metronome markings may also be used. Metronome markings are given in beats per minute. They can be estimated using a clock with a second hand, but the easiest way to illustrate them is with a metronome – a tool which clicks off beats per minute. For a tempo of 60 beats per minute signifies one would hear one click per second, The greater the number of beats per minute, faster the tempo (a smaller the amount of time between successive beats).
Note the metronome markings the top of teach staff below. In the first time signature example: 4/4 – the top number refers to the number of beats in each measure (See measure in the discussion of meter in Module 2). The lower number refers to the note which gets one beat – in the top example this would be a quarter note
Listen to this video. You experience rhythm and tempo. It provides some fine exercises for feeling beats. The metronome sounds indicate the beats at a given tempo. The ta’s and tis you hear from the speaker indicate the – rhythm (discussed later) . You are experiencing rhythm and tempo in this video.
This exercise features three common tempos: Andante Moderato, and Allegro. Note that the Moderato and Andante.n tempos are noticeably faster.
Practice them in the video to get a sense of different tempos This will give you excellent practice in leaning to feel and express the beat which necessary in determining meters – required in the next topic in this module.. Remember that the video only expresses the rhythms at the beginning of each example.Practice clapping the rhythms against the different tempos presented. .Stop this Video at 4:17 (The assignments after 4:17 do not pertain to this course)
Examples of words at varying tempos:
Additional examples of Italian words indicating tempo and mood are “agitato” in the Allegro agitato of the last movement of George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F has both a tempo indication (undoubtedly faster than a usual Allegro) and a mood indication (“agitated”).
Listen at least to the first few minutes of this work by Bartok. It begins fast (presto tempo), At 2:00 the style changes briefly to two bassoons in imitation (polyphonic texture). Then the tempo changes to a significantly slower tempo at 2:16 with the solo flute. Listen on and note the changes in style and mood and how the changes in tempo help to portray styles and moods.
Tempo Terms
Below are some sound files demonstrating examples of the tempos shown above:
Slow Tempo
- Grave—slow and solemn (20–40 BPM)
Listen: Grave
iF the link below does not work, please , insert the link below in your browser: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Beethoven%2C_Sonata_No._8_in_C_Minor_Pathetique%2C_Op._13_-_I._Grave_-_Allegro_di_molto_e_con_brio.ogg
Beethoven, Sonata No. 8, “Pathétique,” 1st movement (score)
- Lento—slowly (40–45 BPM)
- Largo—broadly (45–50 BPM)
Listen: Largo
If you can not open the sound file below please paste the link below in your browser in a new window: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/FChopinPreludeOp28n4.OGG
F. Chopin, Prelude Op. 8, No. 4 in E minor (score)
- Larghetto—rather broadly (50–55 BPM)
- Adagio—slow and stately (literally, “at ease”) (55–65 BPM)
Listen: Adagio
If the file does not play please insert the link below in your browser in a new window outside :the course: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Beethoven%2C_Sonata_No._8_in_C_Minor_Pathetique%2C_Op._13_-_II._Adagio_cantabile.ogg
Beethoven, Sonata No. 8, “Patétique,” 2nd movement (score)
- Andante—at a walking pace (73–77 BPM)
Listen: Andante
Haydn, Symphony No. 104 in D, “London,” 2nd movement (score)
- Moderato—moderately (86–97 BPM)
Fast Tempo – (Wait for file to load. It may take some time)
- Allegro—fast, quickly and bright (109–132 BPM)
Listen: Allegro
If this file dos not play please insert the link below in a new window in your browser: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Beethoven%2C_Sonata_No._8_in_C_Minor_Pathetique%2C_Op._13_-_III._Rondo_-_Allegro.ogg
Beethoven, Sonata No. 8, “Pathétique,” 3rd movement (score)
- Vivace—lively and fast (132–140 BPM)
- Presto—very fast (168–177 BPM)
The Swan from Saint Sans Carnival of the Animals is a another example of Rubato tempo:
LISTEN: TEMPO CHANGE
Listen for the tempo changes in W. A. Mozart’s, Overture to “The Marriage of Figaro”
Rubato tempo is a gradual ebb and flow of the tempo used in the romantic period for expression and interpretation, Chopin nocturnes are great examples.
Listen to the two selections below
Examples of Rubato
Here is an excellent example of rubato. Note the gradual give and take of the tempo gives this work an expressive interpretation.
Chopin Nocturne No 1 O
p. 9, No. 1 in B flat minor. Larghetto
Here is another excellent example of Rubato – also a Chopin work – his Nocturne Opus 27 no 2.Listen especially to 1:45-2:20. However rubato tempos abound throughout this work.