Largo

Largo asks for a broad, slow tempo. The notes have room to unfold, even when a melody moves within each beat. 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.

The 50 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 = 50, that gives a measurable pulse.

At 50 BPM each main beat lasts about 1.2 seconds. Try one note per beat, then two eighths per beat without changing the pulse.

Largo emphasizes breadth. Lento also means slow, but it does not necessarily imply the same broad phrasing. The actual pace depends on the music and any written metronome marking. For a direct A/B test, use the same four notes at the example pace and at the pace suggested on the Larghetto page. Listen for the distance between the main beats, not just the number of notes you play.