Changing the tempo in MuseScore

MuseScore lets you change the speed of your music by adjusting the tempo, measured in beats per minute (BPM). You can set a single tempo for the whole piece, change it at any point in the middle, or create a gradual speed change. The simplest method is to double-click the tempo marking at the beginning of your score and type a new number.

MuseScore comes with a default tempo of 120 BPM. If you want something different from the start, you do not need to delete anything — you just replace the existing number. If you want to change tempo partway through, you add a new tempo marking at that exact measure.

Key Takeaways

  • Double-click the tempo number at the start of your score to change the overall speed for the whole piece.
  • To change tempo in the middle of a piece, click the measure where you want the change, then add a new tempo marking from the Tempo palette.
  • Gradual tempo changes like ritardando or accelerando are found in the Tempo palette under text markings, not numeric values.
  • The metronome will play at whatever tempo you set, so you can hear your changes when ready by pressing the play button.

Change the starting tempo for your whole piece

Open your score in MuseScore. At the very beginning of the first measure, you will see a tempo marking — usually the number 120 in a small box. Double-click directly on that number.

A text box will appear where you can edit the tempo. Delete the current number and type the BPM you want. For example, type 90 for a slower piece or 160 for a faster one. Press Enter when you are done. The number updates on the page, and if you press the play button, the metronome and playback will use your new tempo.

Add a tempo change in the middle of your piece

Click on the measure where you want the tempo to change. For example, if your piece is 120 BPM for the first eight measures and then should jump to 100 BPM, click on measure 9.

Open the Tempo palette on the left side of the screen. If you do not see it, go to the View menu at the top and select Palettes. Look for the Tempo palette in the list. You will see tempo markings like "Allegro," "Andante," and also a generic tempo symbol — a quarter note with a number next to it.

Double-click the generic tempo symbol (the quarter note with a number). MuseScore will add it to your chosen measure. A text box will appear. Type the new BPM number and press Enter. Your piece now has two different tempos: the original one at the start and your new one at measure 9.

Use gradual tempo changes instead of sudden jumps

If you want the music to slow down or speed up gradually rather than jump to a new tempo, the Tempo palette has text markings for this. Look for words like "ritardando" (slow down), "accelerando" (speed up), or "rit." and "accel." for short versions.

Click the measure where the gradual change should begin, then double-click the marking you want from the Tempo palette. It will appear on your score. These markings are visual cues for musicians — they do not automatically change the playback speed in MuseScore the way a numeric tempo does, but they tell anyone reading the score how to interpret that section.

If you want the playback to actually slow down or speed up during playback, you still need to add numeric tempo markings at the beginning and end of the gradual section. For example, put "ritardando" at measure 10, then add a tempo marking with the lower BPM at measure 14 where the ritardando ends.

Hear your tempo changes during playback

Press the play button (the triangle icon at the top left) to hear your piece at the tempo you set. MuseScore will follow whatever tempo markings you have placed. If you set 90 BPM at the start and 100 BPM at measure 9, playback will switch speeds at exactly that point.

If the playback does not sound right, check that your tempo markings are in the correct measures. Click on a tempo marking to select it — it will highlight in blue. If it is in the wrong place, you can drag it to a different measure or delete it and add a new one in the right spot.

Delete or edit a tempo marking you no longer want

Click on the tempo marking (the number or text) to select it. It will turn blue. Press Delete on your keyboard. The marking disappears, and playback will no longer use that tempo change.

If you want to change a tempo marking instead of deleting it, double-click it to open the text box, edit the number or text, and press Enter. This is faster than deleting and re-adding.

Common tempo ranges and what they mean

Tempo is measured in beats per minute, and different ranges have traditional names. Knowing these helps you pick a starting tempo that matches the mood you want. Very slow pieces (40–60 BPM) are often marked Largo or Adagio. Moderate speeds (76–120 BPM) are Andante or Moderato. Fast pieces (120–156 BPM) are Allegro or Vivace. Very fast pieces (156+ BPM) are Presto or Allegro Assai.

You do not have to use these names — you can type any number you want. But if you are reading sheet music or collaborating with others, these terms help everyone understand the intended speed without needing to know the exact BPM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my tempo marking not show up on the score?

The tempo marking may be hidden or placed on a staff that is not visible. Click on the measure where you added it and look for a small box or text. If you still cannot see it, go to View and make sure all staves are shown. You can also try adding the tempo marking again to a different measure to test.

Can I make the tempo change gradually during playback without typing two different numbers?

No — MuseScore playback requires numeric tempo markings to actually change speed. Text markings like "ritardando" are visual only. To hear a gradual slowdown, add the starting tempo at one measure and the ending tempo a few measures later, then add "ritardando" text between them for musicians to read.

What if I want different tempos on different staves?

MuseScore applies tempo markings to the entire piece, not individual staves. All instruments will play at the same tempo. If you need different speeds for different parts, you would need to create separate scores or use a more advanced notation program.

How do I reset the tempo back to 120 BPM?

Double-click the tempo marking and type 120, then press Enter. If you have multiple tempo markings in your piece, you will need to change each one separately or delete the ones you do not want.

Does changing BPM in MuseScore affect the actual audio file if I export it?

Yes. When you export your score as an audio file (MP3 or WAV), the exported file will play at whatever tempo you set in MuseScore. The tempo markings are baked into the audio.