Poco agitato

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a heading — sometimes alone, with no tempo word — or beside the dynamic at a mildly restless passage. It holds until the next tempo or character direction, often a tempo or Tempo I.

How Composers Use It

Poco agitato asks for slight unrest — a nervous edge, a little forward motion — without the turbulence of agitato. Brahms can head a whole song with it alone, letting the character imply the tempo: a moderately flowing pace with an undercurrent of anxiety. Because poco qualifies degree, it pairs naturally with soft dynamics. Add a tempo word if the pace matters; on its own it leaves the speed to the performer.

Example

Brahms, “In der Fremde” (6 Gesänge, Op. 3), voice: “Poco agitato” is the song’s only heading, with no tempo word beside it.

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