Very slow

As Printed on a Score

Printed as a tempo heading above the staff, or as a qualifying phrase after another heading, often with a metronome mark; it holds until the next tempo direction.

How Composers Use It

The English counterpart of molto lento or adagio assai. At very slow tempos the pulse is easily lost, so give a metronome figure and consider asking for a subdivided beat. Long notes test wind players’ breath and string players’ bow length, so plan breathing places and bow changes, and keep enough inner motion to hold the line together.

Related Terms