Tempo Tells the Story

Explore Tempo Through Movement

• Introduce Tempo:

  • Tempo is how fast or slow the music moves. 

  • In music, we use Italian terms to describe the tempo—like presto (very fast), largo (very slow), and andante (moderate/walking speed).

• Echo Practice:

  • Say “presto, presto, presto” quickly with students.

  • Say “laaaar-gooo” slowly and smoothly together.

• Move to the Music:

  • Play a few different musical excerpts from the ASO playlist and invite students to move however the music makes them feel. 

  • After each segment, reflect:

    • Using our new musical vocabulary (presto, largo, andante), what tempo did you hear in the music?

    • How did the music make you feel?

A Creative Journey Through Musical Expression

Choose one of these ways to explore how composers and musicians use music to express mood, character, emotion, and story:

• Compose a Musical Portrait – Create a short rhythm or melody that matches a character’s traits or feelings.

• Draw the Music – Use lines, colors, and shapes to show how the music makes you feel.

• Journal or Write – Use words or write a few sentences to describe how the music tells a story or how it makes you feel.

• Create a Mood Collage – Use found images or materials to show the mood or character of the music.