What is the term for the speed at which a piece of music is played?

The term for the speed at which a piece of music is played is tempo. Tempo indicates how fast or slow the music is intended to be performed, and it is usually measured in beats per minute (BPM). It gives performers a clear indication of the pace that should be maintained throughout the piece, allowing for a cohesive interpretation of the music.

In contrast, dynamics refers to the loudness or softness of a piece, phrasing relates to how musicians group notes into coherent musical ideas, and articulation describes how individual notes are played or sung, such as whether they are played smoothly or sharply. Each of these concepts contributes to the overall expression of music but they do not define the speed of performance like tempo does.