andature

Andature, also spelled andatura, is a term of Italian origin used to describe the gait, pace, or manner of movement of a performance, piece of music, or action. In English-language musicology and dance literature, andature refers to the tempo character or movement quality of a work—the way its pace feels—rather than to a specific beats-per-minute value. It is more commonly found in historical treatises and translations of Italian musical writings than in modern standard notation, where explicit tempo markings (such as allegro or andante) prevail.

Etymology and usage: andature comes from Italian andatura, derived from andare, meaning “to go,” with the noun-forming suffix -tura. In practice, describing a piece’s andature implies a particular feel—whether marching, flowing, or graceful—appropriate to the work’s character. This qualitative sense distinguishes it from metronomic indications by emphasizing feel and style over exact speed.

Relationship to other terms: andature is not a fixed tempo marking. Rather, it conveys the overall movement quality of a passage or performance and can guide interpretive choices. It may be contrasted with precise tempo indications or with more general performance directions that specify character without strict BPM.

Notes: The term is encountered mainly in discussions of historical performance practice and translations of Italian sources. Its specific meaning can vary by author and period, so it is often interpreted contextually within a larger set of tempo and style instructions.

See also: gait, tempo, tempo marking, performance practice, andante, allegro.