Master Tempo in Music: Comprehensive Guide to Tempo Tags
Gary WhittakerOriginally published in 2024 | Updated June 12, 2025
Master Tempo in Music: Comprehensive Guide to Tempo Tags
Tempo isn’t just about speed — it’s the emotional pulse that shapes every song. In AI music creation, especially with tools like Suno AI, tempo tags serve as structural blueprints that define emotion, groove, pacing, and dynamic flow.
This guide breaks down the full spectrum of tempo terminology — from solemn Grave to blazing Prestissimo — and explains how to strategically embed tempo tags into your Suno prompts to achieve precise, expressive, and stylistically aligned results.
How Suno Interprets Tempo Tags
Suno doesn’t use BPM like a DAW. Instead, tempo tags function as semantic cues interpreted in context with genre, mood, instrumentation, and vocal tone.
- Tempo tags influence structure, beat spacing, and pacing.
- They interact with tags such as
[build intensity],[ambient], or[high energy drop]. - For precision, combine tempo tags with instrumentation and vocal descriptors.
Tempo Tag Reference
Very Slow (Lento–Largo)
- Grave: 20–40 BPM – Extremely solemn
- Largo: 40–60 BPM – Broad and slow
- Larghetto: 60–66 BPM – Slightly faster than Largo
Slow (Adagio Family)
- Lento: 45–60 BPM – Slow and broad
- Adagissimo: Extremely slow
- Adagio: 66–76 BPM – Slow and stately
Moderate (Andante Family)
- Andante: 76–108 BPM – At a walking pace
- Andantino: Slightly faster than Andante
- Largamente: Broadly flowing
Mid–Fast (Moderato Family)
- Andante moderato: Between Andante and Moderato
- Moderato: 108–120 BPM – Moderate pace
- Allegretto: 112–120 BPM – Moderately fast
- Tempo comodo: Comfortable pace
Fast (Allegro Family)
- Allegro: 120–168 BPM – Fast and lively
- Allegro vivace: 132–140 BPM – Lively and fast
- Vivace: 140–176 BPM – Spirited and fast
- Molto allegro: Very fast
Very Fast (Presto Family)
- Presto: 168–200 BPM – Very fast
- Prestissimo: 200+ BPM – As fast as possible
Expressive Adjustments & Feel-Based Tags
- Accelerando: Gradually speeding up
- Ritardando / Rallentando: Gradually slowing down
- Rubato: Flexible tempo for emotional expression
- Allargando / Stringendo: Broaden or push tempo faster
- Mosso / Con moto: Add motion
- Tempo primo: Return to the original tempo
- Doppio movimento: Double the tempo
- Tranquillo: Calm, slower mood
- Con brio / Cantabile / Scherzando: With spirit, lyrical, or playful tone
How to Use Tempo Tags in Suno Prompts
Tempo tags should align with genre, mood, and instrumentation.
Example Prompt:
[Genre: Gospel Trap] [Mood: Triumphant] [Tempo: Allegro moderato] [Instrumentation: 808s, Pads, Violin, FX] [Vocal: Female Lead, Confident, Chopped Delivery]
This structure creates a bouncy yet spiritual pace ideal for loopable structures and vocal rhythm cuts.
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