Music A-Level
Tempo
What Tempo means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Tempo
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Reference: AQA
Dictates the speed of the underlying beat, often indicated by Italian terms and able to fluctuate to heighten emotional impact.
The speed of the beat, ranging from slow ballads with expressive rubato to fast bebop tempos.
Topics that use Tempo
- Area of study 1: Western classical tradition 1650–1910 (compulsory) - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 5: Jazz - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Articulation
- Chromaticism
- coda
- Expressive techniques
- Glissando
- Harmonic progression
- Instrumental techniques
- Metre
Using Tempo in the exam
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