Andantino: Slightly faster than andante (80–108 BPM)
Andantino means slightly faster than andante, a tempo of roughly 80-108 BPM with a lighter, more graceful walking character.
Andantino Metronome: 80 to 108 BPM
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What Andantino Means
Andantino has been a source of historical debate: does the diminutive suffix mean slightly faster or slightly slower than andante? Modern convention generally treats andantino as slightly faster, with a lighter and more graceful character. It suggests a pace that is gently moving forward, more animated than a leisurely walk.
Etymology
Italian, diminutive of 'andante', literally 'a little walking'
BPM Range
Minimum: 80 BPM
Maximum: 108 BPM
Typical: 94 BPM
Treat andantino as a light, slightly brisk walking pace. Maintain a graceful flow and avoid making it feel heavy or ponderous.
Andantino in Real Music
Andantino carries an argument inside it. Because the diminutive suffix could mean either a little less slow or a little less quick, composers and performers have disagreed for centuries about which side of andante it falls on. Beethoven famously wrote to a publisher asking for clarification, and modern convention settled on the faster reading, but the ambiguity survives in how the marking is played. Tchaikovsky gave the second movement of his Symphony No. 4 the heading Andantino in modo di canzona, in the manner of a song, and its solo oboe melody demonstrates the marking's characteristic lightness: a walk with a lift in it rather than a stroll. Schubert used Andantino for the second movement of his late Piano Sonata in A major, D. 959, where a hypnotic barcarolle pattern is torn apart by a violent central section, showing that the graceful marking does not guarantee gentle music. The tempo also appears in salon repertoire and character pieces, where composers wanted movement without the seriousness that adagio or andante would imply. Practically, 80-108 BPM sits close to andante's range and overlaps it almost entirely, so the marking communicates character more than a specific number: play it with buoyancy, avoid weight on the downbeats, and let phrases move forward.
Example Pieces
- Piano Sonata in A major, D. 959, 2nd movement (Andantino), Franz Schubert
- Piano Concerto No. 9 'Jeunehomme', K. 271, 2nd movement (Andantino), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Symphony No. 4, 2nd movement (Andantino in modo di canzona), Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Common Genres
Related Tempo Markings
Frequently Asked Questions
Is andantino faster or slower than andante?
This has been debated for centuries, but modern convention treats andantino as slightly faster than andante. The diminutive '-ino' suffix suggests a lighter, more graceful character.
What BPM is andantino?
Andantino is typically around 80-108 BPM, slightly faster than andante. The exact tempo depends on the piece and the performer's interpretation.
How fast is andantino in BPM?
Andantino is typically 80-108 BPM, around 94 BPM in practice. That sits slightly above andante's 76-108 BPM range at the bottom end, reflecting its lighter and more forward-moving character.
What pieces are marked andantino?
Tchaikovsky marked the second movement of his Symphony No. 4 Andantino in modo di canzona, and Schubert used Andantino for the second movement of his Piano Sonata in A major, D. 959.
Is andantino faster than moderato?
No. Andantino runs 80-108 BPM while moderato sits at 108-120 BPM, so moderato is the faster marking. Andantino remains a walking tempo; moderato is a brisker middle-of-the-road pace.
Related References
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