lentamente

Lentamente is an Italian adverb meaning slowly. In music, it functions as a tempo marking that directs performers to proceed at a slow, deliberate pace. It is formed from lento (slow) with the suffix -mente, mirroring other Italian adverbs of manner used in musical notation.

In scores, lentament e can appear at the start of a piece or movement, or mid‑section to indicate a shift toward a slower tempo. It may stand alone or be paired with other expressive markings, such as espressivo or dolce. The exact tempo implied by lentemente varies with context and the overall character of the work; it is generally slower than allegro but not fixed to a single numerical value, unlike metronome markings.

Origin and usage: As part of the Italian tempo vocabulary that originated in the Renaissance and developed through the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, lentemente has been used by composers to convey a lyrical, contemplative, or cantabile character. While less common than lento or adagio, it appears across a range of repertoires when a composer seeks a specific slow, expressive mood.

Non-musical usage: In ordinary Italian language, lentament e means slowly or gradually and can appear in directions or descriptions outside music, though its appearance is primarily within musical contexts.

See also: Lento, Adagio, Grave, Ritardando, Tempo markings.