DE nicht zu schnell tempo core term Support my free tools
How is nicht zu schnell played?
Keep the tempo from running too far ahead. The word zu makes this an upper boundary: unlike nicht schnell, which excludes a fast pace, nicht zu schnell can preserve quick, lively or powerful motion while stopping it from being pushed to its limit. Mahler’s Kräftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell is a clear model—the music remains strongly moving, but not excessively fast. Let the positive character word, metre and texture determine where the limit lies, and do not turn the qualifier into a fixed BPM or an automatic slowdown. Keep the bounded tempo until another instruction.
How does nicht zu schnell sound?
Quick motion held in check — lively, but not pushed to its limit.
Nicht zu schnell just means not too fast — a ceiling, not a destination. Mahler attaches the stronger version, "Ja nicht zu schnell" (but not too fast), as a caution onto a tempo that's already been set, not as a marking in its own right.
In context
The Mahler terminology source gives nicht zu schnell as “not too fast,” and the Second Movement of Mahler’s First Symphony pairs it with Kräftig bewegt, strongly moving. Duden’s definition of schnell grounds the speed parameter, while the added zu limits excess rather than simply negating all fastness. The evidence supports the baseline’s image of lively motion held in check and clarifies the contrast with nicht schnell. No stable general abbreviation was established, so the complete phrase remains written out.
Equivalent terms
- IT non troppo allegro
- FR pas trop vite
- EN not too fast
- DA ikke for hurtigt