#AP Music Theory: Tempo - Your Ultimate Study Guide 🎶

Hey there, future music maestro! Let's dive into the world of tempo, a crucial element for your AP Music Theory exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially for that last-minute review. Let's make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace this!

#Expressive Elements: The Heart of Music

Without expressive elements, music would be pretty bland. These elements—dynamics, articulation, and, of course, tempo—bring music to life. We're focusing on tempo here, but remember how they all work together!

Link to Tempo Section

#Tempo: The Speed of Music

Tempo is the speed of the beat in music, usually measured in beats per minute (BPM). It's like the heartbeat of a piece, setting its mood and energy.

#Italian Tempo Markings 🇮🇹

Italian terms are the standard for tempo, no matter where the music is from. You absolutely need to know these for the AP exam! Think of them not just as speeds, but as feelings or moods.

#Metronome Markings

Sometimes, composers use a metronome marking instead of (or in addition to) a tempo term. This gives the exact BPM for a specific note value. For example:

This means the quarter note gets 60 beats per minute.

#Tempo in Context

Remember, the feeling of tempo also depends on the number of beat divisions. A fast tempo with lots of subdivisions might feel different than a fast tempo with fewer subdivisions. Listen to the Rachmaninoff example in the original notes to get a feel for this.

#Audio Examples

Listen to these examples to get a better sense of how different tempos feel:

Largo at 44 BPM Prestissimo at 184 BPM

#Changes in Tempo

Music isn't static, and neither is tempo! Here are the main terms for tempo changes:

Link to Changes in Tempo Section

#Slowing Down

• Ritardando (rit.): Gradually slowing down. Think of it as a gentle deceleration.
• Ritenuto (rit.): Abruptly slowing down. Like hitting the brakes!

• Rallentando: A more dramatic and expressive slowing down, often paired with a diminuendo (getting softer). Not required for the AP exam, but good to know!

#Speeding Up

• Accelerando (accel.): Gradually speeding up. Imagine a car slowly accelerating.
• Stringendo: A more intense version of accelerando, literally meaning "tightening." Not required for the AP exam, but good to know!

#Other Tempo Changes

• Poco a poco: Little by little. Often used with ritardando or accelerando to indicate a gradual change.
• Rubato: "Stolen time." A flexible tempo where the performer speeds up or slows down for expressive purposes. It's a "give and take" of tempo.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here's what you really need to focus on for the exam:

• Italian Tempo Markings: Know them forwards, backwards, and in your sleep. Understand the feelings they represent, not just the BPM ranges.
• Tempo Changes: Be able to identify ritardando, ritenuto, accelerando, and rubato in a score or audio example.
• Context is Key: Pay attention to the musical phrasing and style. Tempo markings are not just numbers, they are expressive tools.
• Rubato: Remember that rubato is a flexible tempo, and it is used to add expression to music. It is not used in Baroque music, and it is used sparingly in the Classical period.

#Common Question Types

• Multiple Choice: Identifying tempo markings, understanding their meanings, and choosing the correct marking for a given musical excerpt.
• Short Answer: Explaining the difference between tempo changes (e.g., ritardando vs. ritenuto), or how rubato is used in a piece.
• Free Response: Analyzing a musical score and identifying tempo markings and changes, explaining their effect on the music.

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Practice Question

Practice Questions

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following tempo markings indicates the slowest tempo? a) Allegro b) Adagio c) Largo d) Presto

2. A piece of music is marked "rit." with a dotted line. What does this most likely indicate? a) An abrupt slowing down b) A gradual speeding up c) A gradual slowing down d) A flexible tempo

3. What does rubato mean in music? a) A very fast tempo b) A very slow tempo c) A flexible tempo d) A gradual increase in tempo

#Free Response Question

Analyze the following musical excerpt. Identify the tempo markings and any changes in tempo. Explain how these elements contribute to the overall mood and character of the piece. (Assume a piece with a tempo marking of Andante that transitions to Allegro with a ritardando before the Allegro section).

Scoring Breakdown:

• Identification of Tempo Markings (2 points):
  • 1 point for correctly identifying Andante as the initial tempo.
  • 1 point for correctly identifying Allegro as the new tempo.
• Identification of Tempo Change (1 point):
  • 1 point for correctly identifying ritardando as a transition.
• Explanation of Mood and Character (3 points):
  • 1 point for describing the Andante section as relaxed and flowing.
  • 1 point for describing the Allegro section as energetic and lively.
  • 1 point for explaining the ritardando creates a sense of anticipation or transition.

#You've Got This! 💪

Remember, you've worked hard and you're ready for this exam. Take a deep breath, trust your knowledge, and go rock that AP Music Theory test! You've got this!