"Vivacious"
Vivace
156–176BPM
Very fast and lively. Light and buoyant — the notes feel like they're dancing.
166BPM
156176
Range: 156–176 BPMCanonical: 166 BPM
About Vivace
Vivace means 'vivacious' or 'lively' — it's faster than allegro and carries a specific lightness of character. While allegro is driven, vivace is more buoyant and dancing. The notes feel lighter at this tempo, and the articulation tends toward staccato and detached playing. Vivace is commonly used in finale movements and in Baroque music where rapid ornamental figures are common.
Character
- Buoyant and dancing
- Lighter than allegro
- Favours staccato articulation
- Common in finales and scherzos
Famous examples
Beethoven Symphony No.7, 4th mvt
Beethoven
Allegro con brio
160 BPM
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, 3rd
Mendelssohn
Allegro vivace
168 BPM
Schubert String Quintet, 4th mvt
Schubert
Allegretto
156 BPM
Mozart Symphony No.41, 4th mvt
Mozart
Molto allegro
164 BPM
Distinguishing from adjacent tempos
Vivace and presto are both very fast — the difference is character. Vivace dances; presto rushes. At presto, individual notes start to blur; vivace remains clearly articulated.
All tempo markings — slowest to fastest