Adagio BPM

Adagio is one of the most recognisable tempo markings in classical music, used for slow, expressive passages. The marking implies not just speed but also feeling — a deliberate, singing pace that gives every phrase room to breathe. Many of the most famous slow movements in classical music are marked Adagio.

Etymology: From the Italian "ad agio," meaning "at ease" or "with ease." The original sense is comfortable and unhurried, not heavy.

Literal translation: Slow and expressive

A central tempo marking from the Baroque era onwards. Albinoni's "Adagio in G minor," Barber's "Adagio for Strings," and the Adagio from Mozart's Clarinet Concerto are among the most performed pieces in the classical repertoire. The term gained an emotional weight beyond pure tempo.

While Adagio originated as a classical music marking, the 60-80 BPM range covers many modern genres:

• R&B ballads
• Lo-fi hip-hop
• Ambient
• Soul slow jams

See the full tempo markings guide, browse BPM by genre, or check the BPM reference for any specific tempo.