Which tempo means slow?

Which tempo means slow?

• A. Grave
• B. Ritardando
• C. Rubato
• D. Lento

Answer: (D)

Tempo markings guide how fast to play. Lento literally signals a slow, relaxed pace, giving you the calm, easy-going speed that many beginner and intermediate tempos use to set a slower feel. Ritardando and rubato describe flexible or changing timing rather than a fixed speed, so they aren’t simply a slow tempo. Grave is indeed very slow and solemn, but lento is the standard marking used to indicate a slow tempo in a straightforward way. So, for the instruction “means slow,” lento is the best fit.

Tempo markings guide how fast to play. Lento literally signals a slow, relaxed pace, giving you the calm, easy-going speed that many beginner and intermediate tempos use to set a slower feel. Ritardando and rubato describe flexible or changing timing rather than a fixed speed, so they aren’t simply a slow tempo. Grave is indeed very slow and solemn, but lento is the standard marking used to indicate a slow tempo in a straightforward way. So, for the instruction “means slow,” lento is the best fit.