Très

As Printed on a Score

Never stands alone: it is printed directly before the word it intensifies, in a heading or a running direction — Très lent, très doux, très retenu, très en dehors — and lasts as long as that word does. One direction often carries it twice, each très tied to its own adjective (Très lent et très doux).

Also spelled: tres

How Composers Use It

The French counterpart of molto, and used constantly in French scores: Debussy, Ravel and Lili Boulanger attach it to tempo, touch and colour alike. Because it sharpens whatever it touches, a short French phrase can stay precise. Reserve it for real extremes; if every soft passage is très doux, plain doux loses its meaning and there is nowhere quieter to go.

Example

Debussy, Trois Chansons de France, “La Grotte” (Auprès de cette grotte sombre), voice, m. 1: “Très lent et très doux” — tempo and tone each given their own très in one heading.

Related Terms