Andante
Andante asks for a walking pace: a moderate, flowing beat that can be followed without rushing.
- walking pace
- sample: 92 BPM
- steady motion
What does andante mean?
Andante asks for a walking pace: a moderate, flowing beat that can be followed without rushing. The marking is normally printed above the staff at the start of a piece or a new section. It guides the performer until another tempo instruction changes it.
How fast should you play?
The 92 BPM example gives you a point to try, not an official definition. Italian tempo words cover a range, and published charts do not agree on exact boundaries. If a score specifies a note value and metronome number, such as quarter note = 92, that gives a measurable pulse.
At 92 BPM, step on four beats and sing two notes within each step. Keep the steps even while the melody changes.
What should you compare it with?
A 'walking pace' is an image for the pulse, not an instruction to match anyone's actual stride. Andante is often placed between Adagio and Moderato; the score's character and any BPM marking refine it. For a direct A/B test, use the same four notes at the example pace and at the pace suggested on the Moderato page. Listen for the distance between the main beats, not just the number of notes you play.