andante con moto

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phrasemusic

   A musical direction meaning at a walking pace but with lively movement, so a bit faster and more flowing than plain andante.

   Grammar: Used as an adverbial or adjectival phrase, usually after the noun it describes: 'the andante con moto section'.

   Patterns

   • play something andante con moto
   • an andante con moto passage
   • marked andante con moto

   The conductor asked the strings to play the opening theme andante con moto, keeping it moving but never rushed.

   The second movement is marked andante con moto, which gives it a gentle forward drive.

   Her piano teacher explained that andante con moto should feel like a brisk walk, not a slow stroll.

Common combinations

andante con moto movement

The andante con moto movement is the most lyrical part of the symphony.

marked andante con moto

The score is marked andante con moto at the top of the page.

play something andante con moto

The quartet decided to play the third section andante con moto.

andante con moto tempo

They chose an andante con moto tempo for the dance.

Synonyms and how they differ

andante

Andante alone is slower and more relaxed; andante con moto adds a sense of motion.

moderato

Moderato means at a moderate speed, but it does not carry the specific walking feel of andante con moto.

Opposites

Word family

andante noun

A piece or movement played at a walking pace.

con moto phrase

With movement; used in other tempo directions like allegro con moto.

Commonly confused: andante con moto or andantino?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “andante con moto”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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