Poco a Poco
Definition. Little by little — a modifier indicating a gradual change, often combined with crescendo or diminuendo.
Detailed Explanation
Poco a poco is Italian for ‘little by little’. As a modifier it instructs the performer to make a change gradually — most commonly applied to crescendos and diminuendos, but also to tempo changes and other directions.
The phrase emphasizes the gradualness of the change. Poco a poco crescendo means a slow, sustained crescendo over a long span — not a quick swell. Poco a poco accelerando means a tempo increase that builds across many bars rather than a few. The implication is patience: the change should not arrive too soon.
Poco a poco is essential for shaping long structural builds. Mahler’s symphonic crescendos often span dozens of bars and are explicitly marked poco a poco. The marking signals to the performer: don’t rush the change; let it unfold.
Etymology
Italian, ‘little by little’ — poco (‘little’, from Latin paucus) + a + poco. The repetition is idiomatic.
In Practice
Resist the temptation to arrive early. A poco a poco crescendo should still be relatively quiet at the midpoint — the bulk of the growth happens in the final third. Map out the curve before performing.
Notable Examples
- Mahler — Symphony No. 2 ‘Resurrection’ (extensive poco a poco crescendos)
- Beethoven — Symphony No. 5 (iconic poco a poco crescendo into the finale)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Poco a Poco mean in music?
Little by little — a modifier indicating a gradual change, often combined with crescendo or diminuendo.
Where does the word Poco a Poco come from?
Italian, ‘little by little’ — poco (‘little’, from Latin paucus) + a + poco. The repetition is idiomatic.
How is Poco a Poco performed in practice?
Resist the temptation to arrive early. A poco a poco crescendo should still be relatively quiet at the midpoint — the bulk of the growth happens in the final third. Map out the curve before performing.
What musical terms are related to Poco a Poco?
Related terms include: Crescendo, Diminuendo, Accelerando, Ritardando.
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