About Grave
The slowest common marking. Used for funeral marches and deeply serious passages where every note needs room to ring.
Every tempo in the Grave range
Pieces you may already know at Grave
The quickest way to feel a tempo is to hum a piece written at it. These carry the marking Grave in the score, or are almost always played in its range.
- Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathétique", opening — Beethoven
The introduction is marked Grave — heavy chords with long silences between them.
- Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary, March — Purcell
A slow processional; often played close to 40 BPM.
- Symphony No. 6 "Pathétique", finale — Tchaikovsky
Marked Adagio lamentoso, but its close sinks to a Grave pace.
In today's music: Slower than almost any pop song. Think of a slow-motion funeral drum or a held breath between chords.
Questions
What BPM is Grave?
Grave is usually given as about 45 BPM, with 43 BPM a typical middle value. Editions and traditions differ, so treat the range as a guide.
What does Grave mean?
Solemn, very slow. The slowest common marking. Used for funeral marches and deeply serious passages where every note needs room to ring.
How do I practise a Grave passage?
Start near 20–22 BPM so the notes are accurate, then step up by about 5 BPM until you reach the marked tempo.
Tempo ranges are approximate and differ between editions, periods and performers.