How to teach tempos to piano beginners? by Piano Comics

One of the most vital music elements I teach to piano students from the beginning is tempo. What it is, how to use it, what it means to the piece/ music we play. And always to look for it in the beginning, interpret it and then move on to  the clef, time, key signature and so forth. Because without tempo ( which literally means ‘time’ in Italian were most of the music terms come from ) there can be no music.

So what is tempo? Tempo is the speed/pace and character of a piece we play. 

No need for complex scientific terms, or too many words to define it to young students. And never use the metronome neither with words when you explain nor practical examples. People need to feel what tempo is and the best way to do so is to feel it for themselves. Don’t use any external ‘help’ or a robotic mechanism to dictate a tempo, speed upon you. You should be able to do it for yourself. Because we , as living organisms, have tempo built inside us through our bodily functions (heart beat, blood flow), feelings ( anger, stress, tiredness, calmness, bliss ) thoughts ( ‘I want to move fast’, ‘I will play the slowest I can’, ‘I am in a hurry’ ).

Stand straight, move away from the piano. Most important music elements are taught through live examples on our body. No need to burden the student with too many tempos, it’s not for them to learn by heart. It’s for them to do, feel with their body and/or voice. I personally choose 6 tempos, 2 slower, 2 medium and 2 faster ones.

Largo = very slow

Adagio = slow

Andante = in a walking pace ( I see with some students translation helps: andare in Italian means ‘to go’ )

Moderato = moderately, walking with a purpose, decisively

Allegro = fast

Presto = very fast

Take these 6 tempos and from the slowest to the fastest show to your students with your own body ( walking/moving across the room ) or voice ( if you choose to sing a melody ) what these tempos are. If you don’t have much room , walk on the same spot, just move your feet up and down with those different speeds. The student (99% of the time) will imitate you happily , eager to reach the faster tempos. You could then sing a melody or ask them to play on the piano a simple, one hand position ‘do re mi fa sol fa mi re do’ in these 6 tempos. At the end play a game: ask them to assign each tempo with an animal or an object ( largo = snail, presto = fast car ) and play a melody with different tempos, but not consecutively ( ask for the 1st to be played andante, the 2nd presto etc ).

How about the character of a tempo?

Don’t leave out the character of a tempo. Allegro yes, but in what context? A different allegro you will have to play in a military march and another one in a dance. Andante cantabile ( again, translate, canto = ‘sing’ in Italian ) will have a quite different movement than andante con moto ( walking with movement ).

Finally, show to your students where in the scores the tempo is written and ALWAYS to look for it before starting a piece.

For more music theory explained in a simple, concise but light way, with games, short and easy pieces with funny lyrics for piano beginners aged 4-12 try ‘Workbook Sheet Music’ by Piano Comics.

As always, have a good practice.