Rubato
Flexible, stolen time
Category
tempo
Pronunciation
roo-BAH-toh
Origin
Italian
Length
73 words · 1 min read
About Rubato
A tempo direction meaning the performer may freely speed up or slow down for expressive effect, "stealing" time from one note to give to another. The overall pulse remains intact.
More tempo terms
Adagio
View all tempoterms →Slow, at ease
Tempo giustoAt a strict, regular tempo without flexibility or rubato
LargoVery slow and broad; the slowest standard tempo marking.
Tempo di valseIn waltz time — a moderate triple-time tempo suitable for dancing
LentoSlow, between Adagio and Largo.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Compare with similar terms
v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →