Understand
Beat, Subdivision and Tempo
Feeling the pulse, dividing it, and naming speeds.
Class code
9Z95Pulse first
The beat is the steady pulse you tap your foot to. Everything else in the rhythm is measured against it, so a secure pulse matters more than fast fingers.
Subdivision
Counting the gaps between beats keeps rhythms accurate. Say 1 and 2 and for quavers, 1 e and a for semiquavers, 1 la li for compound time.
Tempo words
Tempo is measured in beats per minute, and also described in Italian.
- Largo - very slow, around 40-60 bpm
- Andante - walking pace, around 76-108 bpm
- Moderato - moderate, around 108-120 bpm
- Allegro - fast and bright, around 120-156 bpm
- Presto - very fast, 168 bpm and above
Try it
Test yourself