Senza tempo

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff at the start of a free passage — typically a cadenza in small notes, often in an unmetred or overfull bar. It lasts until a tempo, Tempo I or the next tempo heading restores the beat; until then the barline is a formality, and any accompaniment waits on the soloist.

How Composers Use It

Reach for it when you want time suspended, not bent: rubato keeps a beat that flexes, while senza tempo lets go of the beat altogether. Write the passage in small notes or as an unbarred span so the eye agrees with the instruction, and always mark the return. In ensemble music someone must lead — mark the accompaniment colla parte or give it a fermata to wait under.

Example

Chopin, Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2: near the close, after “con forza” and “stretto”, the cadenza is headed “Senza tempo”; “rallent. smorz.” and then “a tempo” follow.

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