Tanto

As Printed on a Score

Almost always printed with non (“Presto non tanto”, “Allegro ma non tanto”), after the word it moderates in a tempo heading or direction. It lasts as long as the word it belongs to.

How Composers Use It

Tanto (so much) carries its meaning through non tanto, where it caps the degree of the preceding word as non troppo does; Chopin used it on the finale of his Third Sonata, Beethoven in the finale of the Ninth. Alone it is rarely seen on scores. When writing, keep to the familiar non tanto or non troppo rather than inventing new combinations, which players may not parse.

Example

Chopin, Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, fourth movement (Finale), m. 1: “Presto non tanto”, with f and a cresc. in the same bar.

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