Tranquille

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff or over the voice, often as a heading on its own or attached to a tempo word, and graded as plus tranquille. As a heading it sets the manner of a whole piece; mid-piece it lasts until the next character or tempo marking.

How Composers Use It

The French equivalent of tranquillo: calm and unhurried, with an even pulse and a quiet spirit. Satie uses it as the sole heading of a song, letting one word stand for tempo and character — workable because tranquille implies a moderate or slow pace. In faster music it calms the manner without necessarily slowing, so add a tempo word if the speed should change.

Example

Satie, Ludions, “Air du rat”, voice, m. 1: “Tranquille”, the song’s heading.

Related Terms