Poco meno

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a shortened form of poco meno mosso (a little slower), or inside longer directions (poco a poco meno, poco meno f); whether it sits in a tempo position above the staff or beside a dynamic decides what is being reduced.

How Composers Use It

On its own the phrase is incomplete, and performers supply the missing word from context, usually as poco meno mosso. That ambiguity is a reason to write the full phrase: poco meno mosso for tempo, poco meno f or a dim. for dynamics. Use the bare form only where the meaning is unmistakable, such as a new section heading straight after a faster passage.

Related Terms