Souple

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff, usually inside a heading about rhythm or tempo — D’un rythme souple — or as the adverb in Assez vite, souplement. It colours the whole passage until a new tempo or character word.

How Composers Use It

Souple asks for a rhythm that bends — phrasing that breathes while the pulse stays alive — and for a supple, unforced line. It is gentler than rubato because it describes a manner rather than licensing tempo changes, so it suits barcarolles, lullabies and flowing accompaniments. If you want real fluctuation, a tempo word such as cédez or animez makes it explicit.

Example

Ravel, Miroirs No. 3, “Une barque sur l’océan”, piano, m. 1: “D’un rythme souple” heads the piece over a pp.

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