Do not drag

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff, often in parentheses — as the English for nicht schleppen in German editions, or as a composer’s own warning. It guards the tempo where dragging is likely and lasts until a new tempo marking.

How Composers Use It

A preventive warning placed where performers tend to slow: after an accelerando, in a lyrical phrase, over long notes. Mahler is the classic user of the German original, nicht schleppen. It asks not for faster playing, only that the established tempo not sag. Place it exactly where the risk lies rather than at the head of the movement.

Example

Mahler, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, “Ich hab’ ein glühend Messer”, piano, m. 78: “(do not drag)”, printed with Mahler’s “nicht schleppen” and an “a tempo” after an “accel.”.

Related Terms