What does tempo mean?
We can use different words to describe music we play or listen to.
Tempo is the speed of music.
For example, music can be slow or fast.
The pulse of the music controls the tempo.
Why is tempo important?
The tempo of music can change the way it makes you feel.
Fast music might make you excited.
Slow music might make you feel calm, or even sleepy!
Some musicians practice playing at different tempos using a metronome. It makes a ticking noise so they can play at a steady tempo.
Watch: Duration and tempo
Discover more about tempo with Lightning Jelly and Beethoven.
GIRL 1: Hey! We鈥檝e really got a beat going now!
BOY 1: HUH? My beats don鈥檛 sound quite right. What鈥檚 going on?
GIRL 1: Beats me!
GIRL 2: I told you guys we could do it. Our song is going to knock Mr. Piper鈥檚 socks off!
GIRL 3: Too bad it鈥檚 about as exciting as his sweatshirts.
BEETHOVEN: SILENCE! That does not sound like my fifth symphony. YOU need duration and tempo!
BOY 1: Beethoven! I鈥 I was just鈥
BEETHOVEN: SILENCE! Let me explain鈥 Now THIS is Beethoven鈥檚 fifth symphony, short short short LOOOONG!
BOY 1: AH, so the notes are different lengths?
BEETHOVEN: Speak up, mister whisper! I鈥檓 a trifle deaf.
BOY 1: I said the notes are鈥
BEETHOVEN: SILENCE! The notes are different lengths. Some are short and some are LONG!
GIRL 1: Okay, I got it! So鈥 short.
GIRL 3: And long鈥
GIRL 2: So that鈥檚 duration but what about the other thing, tempo?
BOY 1: Oh! I know this! Tempo is the speed of the
BEETHOVEN: SILENCE! Tempo is the speed of the music. And to demonstrate meet my friend Zorba the Greek!
GIRL 3: Zorba the who?
BOY 2: Ooh! I know that one! It鈥檚 nice and slow.
ZORBA: Adagio! But it doesn鈥檛 stay that way for long! The tempo speeds up. Accelerando!
BEETHOVEN: Now we are playing really fast! The term for that-
BOY 1: SILENCE! The term for that is ALLEGRO!
BEETHOVEN: Haha! I like you!
GIRL 2: Hey Beethoven, what鈥檚 your favourite fruit?
BEETHOVEN: BA-NA-NA-NAAAAAAA!
Tempo challenge
Time to move! Play this game to learn more about tempo.
Mr Brown: Let鈥檚 warm up with a listening game.
Katie: Okay I鈥檓 all ears.
Mr Brown: When we hear fast music we have to run on the spot like that. And when we hear slow music we have to run in slow motion. And we鈥檝e got until the end of the buzzer sound.
Katie: Okay, I鈥檃m ready let鈥檚 do this.
Katie: Ah! Phew.
Mr Brown: Great listening Katie
Katie: Thanks.
Glossary
Here are the meanings of some important words.
Tempo - The speed of the music.
Pulse - The steady beat that runs through the music.
Metronome - A device used by musicians that marks time at a selected rate by giving a regular tick.
Activity
Quiz
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