Decision Making

Tempo

QUESTION: How does tempo influence the size of the break to be inserted between repeated notes or between the various notes of an articulate line?

ANSWER: In general--

• the SLOWER the tempo, the SMALLER the break (relative to the prevailing note value), and
• the FASTER the tempo, the LARGER the break.

Both of these guidelines assume that we are comparing rhythmic motion in equal note values (that is, comparing quarter notes in both slow and fast tempos).

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