Allegretto is an Italian tempo marking that means moderately fast, fairly lively, or literally “a little allegro.” It usually tells a musician to play faster than andante but slightly slower and lighter than allegro. Many modern tempo charts place allegretto around 112–120 beats per minute (BPM), but the marking describes character as well as speed, so it should not be treated as an exact metronome number.
Understanding allegretto becomes easier when you separate tempo from BPM. Tempo is the overall pace and character of the music, while BPM measures the number of counted beats in one minute. A composer who writes allegretto gives the performer a stylistic direction; a marking such as quarter note = 116 supplies a precise measured speed.
What Does Allegretto Mean in Music?
Allegretto means moderately quick and lively, generally with a lighter or less forceful character than allegro. The term comes from allegro, the Italian direction associated with a fast, bright, or cheerful manner, plus the diminutive suffix “-etto,” meaning smaller or less. In practical terms, allegretto can be understood as “a little allegro.”
The word appears above a passage or at the beginning of a movement. It remains in effect until the composer provides another direction, such as andante, allegro, accelerando, or a tempo. Like other traditional Italian tempo markings, allegretto communicates more than a stopwatch value. It can suggest motion that feels active and buoyant without becoming rushed.
Pronunciation varies slightly by accent, but English-speaking musicians commonly say it as “al-uh-GRET-oh.” The musical emphasis belongs on the “gret” syllable.
Modifiers make the intended character more specific. Allegretto grazioso means moderately quick and graceful. Allegretto scherzando suggests a playful manner, while allegretto con moto asks for moderately quick playing with motion. These words affect articulation, phrasing, weight, and expression even when the basic pulse remains similar.
What BPM Is Allegretto?
Allegretto is commonly placed at approximately 112–120 BPM in modern reference charts. That range is useful as a starting point, not a universal rule. Different publishers, metronome charts, teachers, and musical periods may assign lower or broader ranges because traditional tempo words existed before standardized metronome numbers.
| Tempo marking | General meaning | Approximate modern BPM range | Relative feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andante | At a walking pace | 76–108 BPM | Calm and flowing |
| Moderato | At a moderate speed | 108–120 BPM | Controlled and steady |
| Allegretto | Moderately fast; a little lively | 112–120 BPM | Light and active |
| Allegro | Fast, quick, or bright | 120–168 BPM | Energetic and driving |
These ranges overlap because the terms do not form a rigid numerical scale. A brisk andante interpretation may approach a restrained allegretto, while a lively moderato can sit at nearly the same BPM. The written range, instrument, phrase length, acoustic space, and historical style help determine which interpretation makes musical sense.
How long does one beat last at allegretto?
Beat duration can clarify how small BPM changes affect the pulse. Divide 60,000 milliseconds by the BPM:
| Tempo | Calculation | Duration of one beat |
| 112 BPM | 60,000 ÷ 112 | About 536 ms |
| 116 BPM | 60,000 ÷ 116 | About 517 ms |
| 120 BPM | 60,000 ÷ 120 | 500 ms |
At 112 BPM, each beat lasts about 36 milliseconds longer than at 120 BPM. That difference seems small, yet it can noticeably change the weight and breathing space of a phrase. The same BPM-to-milliseconds calculation is useful when setting rhythmic delays or comparing precise metronome values.
Is Allegretto Faster Than Allegro or Andante?
Allegretto is normally faster than andante and slower than allegro. It occupies the middle ground between a walking pace and a clearly fast tempo, although the boundaries can overlap. In most performances, allegretto should feel mobile and lively without the urgency commonly associated with allegro.
Speed alone does not settle the distinction. An allegro passage may use smooth legato lines and sound relaxed, while an allegretto passage with short notes and sharp accents may feel busier. Note density matters too: sixteenth notes at 112 BPM can create more activity than half notes at 126 BPM even though the second passage has the higher measured tempo.
The difference between allegro and its typical interpretation is also one of character. Allegro often implies brightness, energy, and decisive forward movement. Allegretto reduces that intensity. Performers may use lighter articulation, more flexible phrasing, or a slightly gentler rhythmic drive, depending on the score.
How Should Allegretto Be Played?
Play allegretto with a clear forward pulse, lightness, and enough space for the musical details to speak. Begin around the indicated metronome number if the composer provides one; otherwise, use 112–120 BPM as an initial reference and adjust according to the meter, beat unit, phrasing, technique, and style.
Identify the beat unit first
BPM is meaningless unless you know which note value receives the beat. In 4/4 time, a quarter note usually carries the main beat. In 6/8, musicians often feel two dotted-quarter beats per bar rather than six separate eighth-note beats. An allegretto marked dotted quarter = 116 therefore moves very differently from eighth note = 116.
Check the time signature, metronome symbol, accompaniment pattern, and natural accents before choosing a speed. A broader guide to how meter organizes musical time can help distinguish the written subdivisions from the pulse listeners actually feel.
Build speed without losing character
Start slowly enough to play the notes, rhythm, articulation, and dynamics cleanly. Then raise the metronome by two to four BPM at a time. Once you reach a plausible allegretto speed, stop watching the number and listen for three qualities: steady motion, clear phrasing, and relaxed technique.
A mechanically exact 116 BPM performance can still be stylistically wrong if every beat receives the same weight. Strong and weak beats must retain their hierarchy, phrases need direction, and cadences may need room without disrupting the underlying pulse. Learning how to practise with a metronome helps develop steadiness without turning the performance into a rigid sequence of clicks.
Test the tempo against the musical evidence
Pressure-test the chosen speed by asking whether ornaments remain clear, melodic lines can breathe, accompaniment figures sound natural, and important harmonic changes register. For ensemble music, the tempo must also allow clean coordination. The best allegretto is not automatically the fastest playable version; it is the pace at which the movement’s structure and character become convincing.
How Has Allegretto Been Used by Composers?
The meaning of allegretto has shifted across periods and composers, so historical context matters. Earlier uses could indicate a tempo only somewhat quicker than andante, while many modern charts position it immediately below allegro. Editors and performers therefore compare the tempo word with the date, genre, notation, metronome marks, and the composer’s practice.
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 offers the best-known example: its second movement is marked Allegretto, yet the music feels solemn and processional rather than cheerful. The example exposes a common misconception—allegretto does not guarantee a happy mood. Tempo and emotional tone are related, but harmony, rhythm, orchestration, dynamics, and melodic shape can outweigh the literal association of allegro with cheerfulness.
Other examples show the term’s flexibility. The third movement of Brahms’s Symphony No. 3 is marked Poco allegretto, meaning “a little allegretto,” and carries a restrained, lyrical character. Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 1 includes an Allegretto semplice e scherzando, combining a moderately lively pace with simplicity and playfulness. Listening across these works is more useful than memorizing one number because it reveals how musical tempo operates as expressive direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is allegretto fast or slow?
Allegretto is moderately fast rather than extremely fast. It is generally quicker than andante and slightly slower than allegro, with a light, active quality.
What is the difference between allegretto and allegro?
Allegretto is usually slower and less forceful than allegro. Allegro suggests a clearly fast, energetic pace, while allegretto means “a little allegro” and often calls for more lightness or moderation.
What does allegretto grazioso mean?
Allegretto grazioso means moderately quick and graceful. The performer should combine forward motion with elegant phrasing, controlled articulation, and a light touch rather than focusing only on speed.
Can allegretto be slower than 112 BPM?
Yes. The 112–120 BPM range is a modern reference, not a binding historical definition. A slower speed may be appropriate when supported by the composer’s period, a modifier such as poco, the beat unit, or the musical character.
Does allegretto always indicate a cheerful mood?
No. Allegretto primarily directs tempo and manner, not a fixed emotion. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, second movement, is marked Allegretto but has a serious, almost processional character.
Sophia Mitchell is a music technology writer and rhythm analysis specialist at BPM Calculator. She focuses on BPM calculation, tempo analysis, beat synchronization, DJ workflow tools, and music production education for producers, DJs, musicians, and audio creators. Sophia creates practical, beginner-friendly content around tempo matching, delay timing, metronomes, harmonic mixing, and rhythm analysis to help creators improve musical timing, workflow efficiency, and production accuracy.