Vivace is an Italian tempo marking meaning “lively, vivacious”. It is usually played at about 156–176 BPM. Vivace is lively and quick, faster than Allegro. It stresses energy and spirit as well as speed. The metronome on this page starts at 166 BPM, in the middle of the range.
How fast is Vivace?
Vivace is roughly 156–176 beats per minute. At 156 BPM one beat lasts 385 ms; at 176 BPM it lasts 341 ms. Reference books and metronome makers print slightly different ranges, so treat these as conventions rather than rules.
Beat lengths across the Vivace range
Tempo
Quarter note
Eighth note
One bar of 4/4
156 BPM
385 ms
192 ms
1.54 s
166 BPM
361 ms
181 ms
1.45 s
176 BPM
341 ms
170 ms
1.36 s
What does Vivace mean?
Vivace translates as “lively, vivacious”. Vivace is lively and quick, faster than Allegro. It stresses energy and spirit as well as speed.
Vivace compared with neighbouring markings
Allegro (120–156 BPM) is the next marking slower. Presto (168–200 BPM) is the next marking faster. Ranges overlap at the edges, which is why a tempo such as 120 BPM can be described as either Moderato or Allegro.
Practising at Vivace
At Vivace speeds many players feel the music in half time. Try counting one pulse to every two beats so the line stays relaxed.