Poco Allegretto: A little moderately fast (108–116 BPM)
Poco allegretto means a little moderately fast, a tempo of roughly 108-116 BPM that gently restrains an already modest allegretto.
Poco Allegretto Metronome: 108 to 116 BPM
Press play to hear Poco Allegretto at 112 BPM, or switch to the slow and fast ends of the range.
Loops until you press Stop. Beat 1 is accented so you can feel where the bar starts.
What Poco Allegretto Means
Poco allegretto means 'a little moderately fast,' gently pulling back from even the modest speed of allegretto. This refined marking creates a graceful, lilting tempo that is among the most charming in the orchestral repertoire. Brahms's beloved Third Symphony third movement, marked poco allegretto, is one of the most recognizable melodies in classical music.
Etymology
Italian, 'poco' (a little) + 'allegretto' (a little lively), literally 'slightly moderately fast'
BPM Range
Minimum: 108 BPM
Maximum: 116 BPM
Typical: 112 BPM
This gentle tempo should feel effortless and graceful. Avoid pushing forward, the 'poco' asks for restraint, creating an intimate, song-like character.
Poco Allegretto in Real Music
Poco allegretto is a rare and very specific instruction, and one piece defines it. The third movement of Brahms's Symphony No. 3 is marked Poco allegretto, and its wistful cello melody, passed to violins and later to horn, is among the most recognisable tunes he wrote, borrowed repeatedly by films and popular arrangements. The marking explains why the movement works: instead of the scherzo a symphony's third movement would conventionally supply, Brahms wrote something gentler than allegretto, a slow waltz-like intermezzo whose restraint is the source of its melancholy. He used the same qualifier elsewhere in his chamber writing, including in the String Sextet No. 1, where a poco allegretto section provides contrast within a faster movement. Poco means a little, and it functions as a softener rather than a reversal: the music still moves, but it is asked not to press. That is precisely the character Brahms cultivated in his inner movements, which favour intermezzo-like reflection over the wit of a Haydn or Beethoven scherzo. The 108-116 BPM range sits just under allegretto's 112-120 BPM, and the difference in sound is larger than the numbers suggest, because the marking also governs weight of accent and the degree of rhythmic push in the accompaniment.
Example Pieces
- Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement (Poco allegretto), Johannes Brahms
- String Sextet No. 1, 3rd movement (Scherzo: Allegro molto, trio: poco allegretto), Johannes Brahms
Common Genres
Related Tempo Markings
Frequently Asked Questions
What does poco allegretto mean?
Poco allegretto means 'a little moderately fast', slightly slower than allegretto. The 'poco' (a little) modifier softens the already gentle allegretto.
What is the most famous poco allegretto?
The third movement of Brahms's Symphony No. 3 is the most famous poco allegretto. Its gentle, wistful melody has been widely used in films and popular culture.
Is poco allegretto slower than allegretto?
Yes, slightly. Poco allegretto runs 108-116 BPM while allegretto spans 112-120 BPM. The poco qualifier means a little, softening allegretto's pace and asking for restraint rather than forward push.
What does poco mean in music?
Poco means a little. Attached to a tempo or expression marking it moderates it, so poco allegretto is a little moderately fast and poco a poco means little by little, describing a gradual change.
How fast is poco allegretto on a metronome?
Set a metronome to 108-116 BPM for poco allegretto, around 112 BPM. That places it between moderato's range of 108-120 BPM and the lower edge of allegretto.
Related References
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