Allegro BPM
What is Allegro?
Allegro is one of the most common tempo markings in classical and popular music. The Italian word literally means "cheerful" or "lively" — Allegro implies not just speed but also a bright, energetic mood. At 120 BPM, Allegro matches the default tempo in most digital audio workstations and covers a huge range of dance music including house, pop, rock, and Latin.
What does Allegro mean?
Etymology: From the Italian "allegro," meaning cheerful, joyful, or happy. The same root gives English "allegory" and "allegrettissimo."
Literal translation: Fast and lively
History of Allegro as a tempo marking
Allegro became the default fast-tempo marking in the late Baroque and Classical eras. Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven used it for the majority of their first and last symphonic movements. The 120 BPM standard for modern dance music traces back through disco and 1970s pop to the symphonic Allegro tradition.
Famous Allegro pieces
Modern genres at Allegro tempo
While Allegro originated as a classical music marking, the 120-156 BPM range covers many modern genres:
- House
- Disco
- Pop
- Rock
- Funk
- Salsa
- Reggaeton
- Tech House
Allegro compared to neighbouring tempos
| Marking | BPM Range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Allegretto (slower) | 112-120 | Moderately fast |
| Allegro | 120-156 | Fast and lively |
| Vivace (faster) | 156-176 | Lively and fast |
Want to check if your track is at Allegro tempo?
Use the Tap Tempo ToolRelated
See the full tempo markings guide, browse BPM by genre, or check the BPM reference for any specific tempo.
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