Tempo

From MusiCAD

The starting tempo is specified in [Options|Playback]. Any tempo changes are relative to the set starting tempo

During playback, you can use <+> or <-> to change the tempo, as well as in the mixer.

MusiCAD expects all tempi in quarter notes per minute.

Tempo definition in quarter notes per minute is unambiguous for a computer, but not always useful for musicians. E.g. in a 6/8 time, a tempo of 120 quarter notes per minute would be 80 dotted quarter notes per minute (and that's what you 'experience' as a musician as tempo in a 6/8)

How (and whether) tempo indications appear on paper can be set in a number of places.

  • In header and footer, use the macro $@ to specify that the base tempo should appear in the header.
  • Font and positioning of tempi in the music can be set under [Options|Music|Tempo marks].

How and whether tempo changes are audible depends on the one hand on the starting tempo and on the other hand on the choice under [Options|Playback|Initial tempo].

Tempo changes can be inserted using the tempo menu and will be shown at a selected position (or hidden altogether by unchecking the tempo text style).

A single tempo change may be hidden using <x>.

A tempo mark might be shown within the header by using the macro $@

To get rid of tempo indication just uncheck the corresponding line in header & footer.

Standard translation between "tempo-as-name" and "tempo-in-quarternotes-per-minute" is as follows:

largo 40
lento 45
grave 50
adagio 60
andante 70
largetto 80
andantino 90
moderato 100
allegretto 120
allegro 130
vivace 150
presto 180
prestissimo 200
vivacissimo 230
volante 250

See also