Basic speed terms can be classified into three types according to their origins:
Type 1: terms that appeared in the early days and were specially used to record speed, and are still used today, such as Presto (Presto), Lento (Adagio), etc.
Category 2: Evolved from expression terms: such as the word Allegro, a daily life term from Italy, which has meanings such as happiness and joy, and gradually evolved into a musical term - Allegro.
Category three: Use the well-known genre name to indicate the speed: such as Tempo di marcia (march speed); Tempo di valse (waltz speed).
Both the basic tempo term and the metronome label M.M. can mark the basic tempo of a piece of music. The metronome label M.M. (Mlzel?s metronome - the abbreviation of Meltzer's metronome) can be accurate to the number of beats per minute, such as M.M.*lt; = 108, which means 108 quarter notes are played per minute. The terminology mark only indicates the speed level, which is different from the overly strict requirements of the metronome mark on speed, thus avoiding the restriction of the player's individuality in playing. At the same time, the terminology mark has a certain expression meaning, such as Allegro (Allegro), including Cheerful, happy meaning, Adagio (adagio), leisurely, soft meaning. Therefore, many composers tend to use musical terms to label basic tempos. ? Commonly used ones include Temporubato (free speed), Ritardando (gradually slow), etc. It is worth noting that many temporary speed changes are diverse and nuanced, and need to be carefully distinguished. For example, Rallentando, Ritardando, and Ritenuto all have the meaning of getting slower, but they are different in terms of artistic expression: Rallentando (abbreviated as Rall) has The effect of slowly fading away, Ritardando (abbreviated as Rit) is just a slowing down of the rhythm, while Ritenuto (abbreviated as Riten) refers to a sudden slow down and then the phrase speed maintains this slow speed and does not continue to slow down. Mastering the inherent relaxation of speed included in the terminology of speed is very beneficial to the performance of the music, especially the connection of phrases and the performance of the ending part of the phrase.
Beginner students often learn more and more notes, and the note durations get shorter and shorter, or they play faster and faster when they encounter a ditty with a faster marking speed. At this time, they should be clearly reminded to insist on playing slowly. For example, when learning to play the "Cuckoo Clock" in "Thompson Modern Piano Tutorial" (1), the speed is marked Allegretto *lt;?=60--80. Students should be required to play slowly, check the note duration, and at the same time Experience the lively and dexterous playing requirements contained in Allegretto, and use small connections, accents, and empty beats to make the "cuckoo clock" scream "cuckoo cuckoo" while counting the time and telling the time on the hour. Express it with an easy, lively touch. This expressive slow practice method will help students avoid developing the bad habits of laxity, rigidity, and lack of energy due to frequent slow playing. At the same time, students will learn to practice by combining fingertip technical training with the emotional color contained in music terminology to enhance their performance. Fingertip independence and accurate ability to perform. ?
After a period of playing training, students’ fingertips have a certain ability to run. They often like to play fast, thinking that the faster they play, the better they will sound. At this time, the teacher should explain to them the different Different styles of works have different speed requirements. Many works can be expressed more profoundly and wonderfully by playing at a slower speed. Even for fast music, you should refer to its tempo markings, do enough slow practice during the sight-reading process, and process each phrase appropriately and in place, so that you can be calm and accurate when playing at accelerated speeds, and achieve the desired speed and content. unified. ?
The changes in speed are diverse, and the works of different music schools in different periods have different concepts of speed. Combining work analysis, referring to speed terms, and playing at the appropriate speed is an important step in playing piano works well.