When writing or performing music, the artist and producers need to know the speed of the music, otherwise known as the tempo. Song tempo is measured in beats per minute or BPM.
Beats per minute indicate the number of beats that sound off per minute. For example, if a tempo is noted as 60 BPM, a beat goes off once per second or 60 times per minute. A 120 BPM tempo would be twice as fast, with two beats per second.
Beat Length
The duration that each beat represents will depend on the piece’s time signature. In a time signature with a four on the bottom (such as 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, etc.), each beat corresponds with a quarter note. So, in a 4/4 time, every four beats will take you through a full measure. In 5/4 time, every five beats will take you through a measure. In a time signature with an eight on the bottom (such as 3/8, 6/8, or 9/8), a tempo beat typically corresponds with an eighth note value.
Sometimes tempo beats correspond with other durations. For instance, if you want to count your way through a measure of 12/8, you could choose a tempo that represents eighth notes (where 12 tempo beats get you through one measure) or a tempo that represents dotted eighth notes (where four tempo beats would get you through the measure).
BPM Application
BPM is the most precise way to measure tempo regardless of the music created or performed. BPM is commonly used in applications where musical durations, such as film scoring, must be exact. It is also heavily used when recording music because most software calculates tempo in BPM.
Knowing the BPM helps the artist craft their flow and perfect their timing. The timing of a verse, line, or bar can change the entire meaning of a song and evoke different emotions for the listener. Consider the songs by Autumn! "Outta My Mind!" at 141 BPM with a time signature of 4 beats per bar and "Composure!" with a time signature of 5 beats per bar. These two songs have completely different sounds, creating different emotions for listeners.
Most of today's pop songs are written in a tempo range of 100 to 140 BPM. However, many songwriters consider 120 BPM the perfect tempo for crafting a hit.
Italian Markings
Sometimes musicians are instructed using Italian tempo markings, mainly classical music. These words include tempo instructions for a piece of music or a particular section within that piece. Certain Italian words convey a tempo change or other information about the speed of the music. Contemporary music theory books and musical scores use Italian terminology and BPM almost interchangeably, so it is important to develop familiarity with both.
Larghissimo: very, very slow, almost droning (20 BPM and below)
Grave: slow and solemn (20–40 BPM)
Lento: slow but slightly faster than grave (40–60 BPM)
Largo: the most commonly indicated "slow" tempo (40–60 BPM)
Larghetto: still quite slow (60–66 BPM)
Adagio: another popular slow tempo, which translates to mean "at ease" (66–76 BPM)
Adagietto: relatively slow (70–80 BPM)
Andante: a popular tempo that translates as "at a walking pace" (76–108 BPM)
Moderato: moderately paced (108–120 BPM)
Allegro moderato: moderately quick (112–124 BPM)
Allegro: perhaps the most frequently used tempo marking (120–168 BPM, which includes the "heart rate tempo" sweet spot, even though most resting heart rates are much lower)
Vivace: lively and fast (typically around 168-176 BPM)
Presto: the most popular way to write "very fast" and a typical tempo in fast movements of symphonies (ranges from 168–200 BPM)
Prestissimo: extremely fast (more than 200 BPM)
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