What is a Rubato?

Rubato is a musical term that refers to the expressive flexibility of tempo within a performance. When playing with rubato, a musician slightly speeds up or slows down certain notes or phrases to add emotional expression. Although the timing changes momentarily, the overall sense of the beat and structure of the music is usually maintained.

The word “rubato” comes from the Italian phrase tempo rubato, which means “stolen time.” This means that time is temporarily taken from one part of the phrase and often given back later so the overall tempo remains balanced. This technique allows performers to shape musical phrases more naturally and expressively.

Rubato is commonly used in classical music, especially in piano and vocal performances where emotional expression is important. It can also appear in jazz and other expressive musical styles. By allowing slight freedom in timing, rubato helps musicians convey feeling and nuance within a piece of music.