Molto lento, molto lento when you play tunes,
allegretto, pal, abet, no! Not the style.
In progressing, think “regressing”—in this way tunes
will go oh so slow and mosey on a while.

I will smile when down you dial to molto lento;
it’s not time to play like on cocaine you’d start.
Keep slow schemes as you stream through those whole steps.
Don’t go wild there; play just mild fare,
No Storm* proto-Ro[mantic] spiel, molto lento.
Play with your head and do not be led by your heart.

Nix vivace, Liberace. . .molto lento.
Do not let your digits on the iv’ries dart—
languid schemes as you stream through those half steps.
Don’t go wild there. . .no get-riled fare
or stormin’ Chopin spiel. . .molto lento.
Don’t get ahead; play at a leaden pace your part.

Molto lento; so go, friend, slow!


*Sturm und Drang (Storm and Stress), proto-Romantic movement of the late 18th century.