doeltempo

Doeltempo is a Dutch term meaning “target tempo” or “goal tempo.” In music performance practice it denotes the tempo that musicians aim to reach in a given passage, serving as a practical reference point for tempo decisions made during rehearsal and in performance.

The concept is commonly used when a passage involves tempo changes such as accelerando or ritardando, or when expressive rubato requires temporary deviations from a strict beat. Doeltempo helps coordinators and players align on the intended speed at the climactic moment or the conclusion of a section, even if the actual execution includes momentary fluctuations.

Doeltempo is not a formal marking found in standard musical scores. Rather, it is a pedagogical or practical label used in rehearsals, instruction, and editorial notes to guide tempo planning. Musicians may rely on metronomes, internal sense of pulse, or collective agreement within an ensemble to approach the doeltempo consistently.

Relation to other tempo terms varies. It is distinct from tempo primo (the initial tempo) and from a tempo (a return to the previous tempo), although the doeltempo may coincide with one of these tempos depending on the piece and the interpretive goal. Understanding doeltempo helps performers balance expressive timing with rhythmic precision.

See also: tempo, tempo primo, a tempo, ritardando, accelerando, metronome.