Tempo Giusto
Definition. Strict tempo — exact, even pulse without rubato or expressive flexibility.
Detailed Explanation
Tempo giusto, Italian for ‘exact tempo’ or ‘strict tempo’, instructs the performer to play with a steady, precise pulse — no rubato, no expressive flexibility. It is the antithesis of rubato.
The marking is most common in dance-derived music, in marches, and in any context where a regular pulse is essential to the character. A passage marked tempo giusto should sound metronomic, even mechanical; the music depends on the regularity of the beat for its effect.
In jazz, the equivalent is ‘in time’ or ‘straight time’. In Baroque music, tempo giusto sometimes means ‘at the appropriate tempo’ — that is, the standard tempo for the genre or character of the piece, without further specification. This older meaning is less common in modern usage.
Etymology
Italian, ‘exact tempo’ — tempo + giusto (‘just, exact, right’), from Latin iustus.
In Practice
Set the metronome and stay with it. Avoid any expressive distortion of pulse. The music gets its character from rhythmic regularity, articulation, and dynamics, not from rubato.
Notable Examples
- Various — Marches, dances, baroque allemandes (common in pulse-driven music)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tempo Giusto mean in music?
Strict tempo — exact, even pulse without rubato or expressive flexibility.
Where does the word Tempo Giusto come from?
Italian, ‘exact tempo’ — tempo + giusto (‘just, exact, right’), from Latin iustus.
How is Tempo Giusto performed in practice?
Set the metronome and stay with it. Avoid any expressive distortion of pulse. The music gets its character from rhythmic regularity, articulation, and dynamics, not from rubato.
What musical terms are related to Tempo Giusto?
Related terms include: Alla Breve, Alla Marcia.
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