Tempo di Valse — Waltz tempo (80–100 BPM)
Tempo di valse indicates waltz tempo — a lilting triple meter typically around 90 BPM per dotted-half-note, giving a characteristic one-two-three swing. The waltz became the dominant social dance of the 19th century, and its tempo is one of the most immediately recognizable rhythmic patterns in Western music.
Etymology
Italian, 'tempo' (time/tempo) + 'di' (of) + 'valse' (waltz, from German 'Walzer')
BPM Range
Minimum: 80 BPM
Maximum: 100 BPM
Typical: 90 BPM
Emphasize beat one with a slight stress, letting beats two and three feel lighter. The characteristic waltz lilt comes from this gentle emphasis pattern, not from rushing or dragging.
Example Pieces
- The Blue Danube Waltz — Johann Strauss II
- Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker — Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Valse in C-sharp minor, Op. 64 No. 2 — Frédéric Chopin
Common Genres
Related Tempo Markings
Frequently Asked Questions
What BPM is waltz tempo?
Waltz tempo (tempo di valse) is typically around 80-100 BPM for the quarter note, or about 28-34 BPM for the dotted half note if counting in one. Viennese waltzes tend toward the faster end.
What time signature is a waltz?
Waltzes are in 3/4 time (three quarter-note beats per measure). The characteristic one-two-three rhythm is the defining feature of waltz tempo.
Related References
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