Music Terms About Changing Tempo


Term Symbol Meaning
Accelerando accel. Accelerate; Gradually increasing in tempo.
Ad libitum ad lib. As the performer pleases.
Alla Breve Alla Breve Double time using half notes.  Same as Cut Time.
Allargando allarg. Gettting bigger.  May be interpreted as slower and louder.
A tempo A tempo In tempo; go back to original tempo after accelerando or ritardando.
L'istesso tempo L'istesso tempo The same tempo; beat remains same with meter change as 2/4 to 6/8.
Meno mosso Meno mosso Slower.
Rallentando rall. Gradually getting slower.  Same as ritardando.
Ritardando ritard., rit. Gradually getting slower.
Ritenuto riten. Suddenly getting slower.
Stendendo Stendendo Slow down; go slower.
Stringendo Stringendo Speed up; go faster.
Tempo primo Tempo primo Return to the beginning tempo.

Back to Music      Home

Resources

Back to Music      Home

Last Updated:   Jun. 03, 2008
Visitor:    000205