Poco più lento

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff where the slightly slower tempo begins, often immediately after a rit. that leads into it; it holds until a tempo, Tempo I or another tempo word.

Also spelled: poco piu lento

How Composers Use It

A small, settled change of speed: after a rit., it fixes the new slower tempo so the performer does not keep slowing. It is common in Lieder and English song at moments of reflection. Choose it over meno mosso when you want the change described as slowness rather than reduced motion; the practical difference is small, so consistency within a work matters more than the choice.

Example

Brahms, “Liebe und Frühling I” (6 Gesänge, Op. 3), voice, m. 21: “Poco più lento”, after a “rit.” in the previous bar, with the piano marked p dolcissimo.

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