Meaning & use
andante
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Meanings
adverbnot comparablemusic
In a moderately slow, steady tempo, about the pace of a relaxed walk.
Grammar: Appears as a performance instruction: play this passage andante.
Patterns
- play andante
- andante con moto
The score tells the cellist to play the opening andante.
Played andante, the melody feels calm and unhurried.
The conductor wanted the second part taken andante, not too slow.
nouncountablemusic
A piece or section of music written in a moderately slow tempo.
Grammar: Usually refers to a movement of a larger work: the andante of the symphony.
Patterns
- the andante of something
The andante of the symphony is the audience's favorite part.
She chose a gentle andante for the recital's opening.
The sonata's andante has a singing, graceful theme.
Word forms
| plural | andantes |
|---|
Common combinations
- andante con moto
- The piece is marked andante con moto, meaning walking pace with movement.
- slow andante
- The orchestra took a slow andante in the middle section.
- play andante
- Please play andante and keep the beat steady.
- an andante movement
- An andante movement often gives relief after a fast opening.
Synonyms and how they differ
- moderato
- Moderato is a moderate tempo that is a little quicker than andante and has a less walking feel.
- adagio
- Adagio is slower and more leisurely than andante.
- allegretto
- Allegretto is lighter and faster than andante, though slower than allegro.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: andante or adagio?
andante vs adagio
Adagio means slow and relaxed, slower than andante. The two are often mixed up.
Practice
A composer marks a passage andante. How should it be played?
Choose one answer.
Andante comes from the Italian for walking, so it means a moderately slow steady pace. It is not fast, nor very slow.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “andante”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.