Assez vite

As Printed on a Score

Usually a tempo heading at the start of a song or movement, often extended by a manner word (Assez vite, souplement). It lasts until the next tempo word.

How Composers Use It

A fairly quick tempo — quick, but not driven. As with every assez heading, don’t read it as the Italian assai, which means “very”. It pairs well with a word for the motion you want (souplement, léger, rythmé), because vite on its own says nothing about character. If the music needs lightness and spring more than speed, assez vif may be the better choice.

Example

Lili Boulanger, Clairières dans le ciel, “Deux ancolies”, voice, m. 1: “Assez vite, souplement”, over a piano part marked “bien égal et léger”.

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