What tempo marking indicates returning to the original tempo?

What tempo marking indicates returning to the original tempo?

• A. A Tempo
• B. Tempo Primo
• C. Allegro
• D. Ritardando

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is signaling a return to the pace you were first playing at. A tempo tells you to resume the established tempo after any changes like slowing down or speeding up. It specifically directs you to go back to the original speed before the deviation. While Tempo Primo also means the original tempo in some contexts, the standard marking used to restart that tempo is a tempo, which is why it’s the clearest choice. Ritardando means to slow down, and Allegro indicates a fast tempo, neither of which instructs a return to the original pace.

The main idea here is signaling a return to the pace you were first playing at. A tempo tells you to resume the established tempo after any changes like slowing down or speeding up. It specifically directs you to go back to the original speed before the deviation. While Tempo Primo also means the original tempo in some contexts, the standard marking used to restart that tempo is a tempo, which is why it’s the clearest choice. Ritardando means to slow down, and Allegro indicates a fast tempo, neither of which instructs a return to the original pace.