Tarantella
The tarantella is a fast folk dance from southern Italy, usually in 6/8 time, less often in 3/8 time. The name points to the city of Taranto in Apulia. In the Romantic era composers such as Chopin and Liszt also wrote tarantellas for the concert hall.
- Time signature
- usually 6/8, also 3/8
- Tempo
- fast
- Origin
- southern Italy
- Name
- after Taranto in Apulia
- In the concert hall
- Chopin, Liszt, Rossini and others
A folk dance from southern Italy
The tarantella comes from southern Italy, among other places from Calabria, Campania, Sicily and Apulia. It is fast and usually in 6/8 time, less often in 3/8 or 12/8 time. The name points to the city of Taranto in Apulia.
Taranto and the tarantula
The tarantula, a wolf spider, is also named after Taranto. In popular belief its bite was dangerous and was supposed to cause a condition known as tarantism. Dancing for a long time to fast music was supposed to help against it. Besides this form there is the tarantella as a courtship dance for couples.
Running eighth notes in fast 6/8 time
Our own example in A minor: two groups of three eighth notes per bar, played fast. Count in two beats (“1 – 2”); the individual eighth notes are too fast to count along.
The same motion in 3/8 time
Our own example: in 3/8 time each group of three forms a bar of its own. At a fast tempo you feel only one beat per bar.
Tarantellas for the concert hall
In the Romantic era composers such as Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt and Gioachino Rossini wrote tarantellas. These pieces have little to do with the music that was played for tarantism.
Compared with other dances and movements in six-eight time:
| Dance or movement | Time signature | Tempo | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siciliana | 6/8 or 12/8 | slow | first eighth note lengthened, second shortened; often minor |
| Gigue | 3/8, 6/8, 12/8, also 6/4 | lively | final movement of the Baroque suite, often imitative |
| Tarantella | 6/8, also 3/8 | fast | folk dance from southern Italy |
Common mistakes
- Counting in six beats: At a fast tempo this holds you back. Count two beats per bar of 6/8.
- Raising the tempo too soon: Uneven eighth notes stand out more at a fast tempo than at a slow one.
- Confusing tarantella and siciliana: Both are in 6/8 time, but the tarantella is fast, the siciliana calm and dotted.
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Related terms
Six-eight timeThree-eight timeSicilianaGigueSaltarelloDanceRomantic eraEighth note
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 4 October 2026
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