Meno

As Printed on a Score

Printed before the word it reduces — “meno mosso”, “poco meno”, “meno f” — and, like più, measured from what came before. A meno mosso section keeps its slower tempo until “Tempo I” or another tempo word; standing alone over a section, “Meno” usually means meno mosso.

How Composers Use It

Meno indicates a relative decrease. Meno mosso pulls the tempo back. Meno forte reduces volume. Like più, it is always relative to the current level.

Example

Brahms, Symphony No. 4, third movement (Allegro giocoso), m. 181: “Poco meno presto” — a little less fast — arrives after the music has died away to pp, and holds until “Tempo I” at m. 199.

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