tempovauhti

Tempovauhti is a Finnish term describing the speed or pace at which something occurs or is performed. It functions as a general concept used to quantify timing and rhythm across different contexts.

In music, tempovauhti corresponds to tempo—the speed of the beat. It is indicated by tempo markings (such as allegro or adagio) and by numeric metronome marks (beats per minute). Musicians control tempovauhti during performance, using techniques like accelerando and ritardando to change pace, and sometimes rubato to relax the regular timing for expressive effect.

In sports, movement quality and everyday activities are described in terms of tempovauhti as the pace of a task or segment. Coaches may prescribe target tempos to structure training, commonly expressed as pace (minutes per kilometer) or as a proportion of maximal effort. In motor learning and rehabilitation, maintaining a consistent tempovauhti can aid accuracy and efficiency, while deliberate tempo variations can be used to emphasize coordination, strength, or control.

Relation to related concepts: tempo and cadence are closely linked to tempovauhti, and in some contexts the term is used interchangeably with pace. The exact usage can vary by field and region, with the English loanword tempo sometimes preferred in musical settings, while tempovauhti remains common in Finnish-language discourse.

See also: tempo, cadence, pace, accelerando, ritardando.