Editing Metric modulation (section)

== Score notation ==
[[File:Metric modulation swing.png|thumb|upright=1.4|Metric modulation marking used to indicate a change to swing rhythm[[File:Metric modulation swing.mid]]]]

Metric modulations are generally notated as 'note value' = 'note value'. For example,

:<big>{{music|halfnote}}</big> = <big>{{music|quarternote}}</big>

This notation is also normally followed by the new tempo in parentheses.

Before the modern concept and notation of metric modulations composers used the terms ''doppio piu mosso'' and ''doppio piu lento'' for double and half-speed, and later markings such as:

:(Adagio){{music|quarternote}}={{music|eighthnote}}(Allegro)

indicating double speed, which would now be marked ({{music|eighthnote}}={{music|quarternote}}).{{sfn|Weisberg|1996|loc=52}}

The phrase ''l'istesso tempo'' was used for what may now be notated with metric modulation markings. For example: {{time signature|2|4}} to {{time signature|6|8}} ({{music|quarter}}{{=}}{{music|dottedquarter}}), will be marked ''l'istesso tempo'', indicating the beat is the same speed.