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Accelerando vs. Ritardando: What's the Difference?

Accelerando and Ritardando Definitions

Accelerando

Gradually accelerating or quickening in time. Used chiefly as a direction.

Ritardando

Gradually slowing in tempo; retarding. Used chiefly as a direction.

Accelerando

An accelerando passage or movement.

Ritardando

(music) Gradually decelerating the tempo of a piece of music, especially at the end of the piece.

Accelerando

(music) A tempo mark directing that a passage is to be played at an increasing speed.
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Ritardando

(music) Having a gradually decelerating tempo.

Accelerando

(music) A passage having this mark.

Ritardando

(music) An instance of gradually decelerating the tempo of a piece of music.

Accelerando

(by extension) Accelerating or exponential advancement or development (of a thing).

Ritardando

Retarding; - a direction for slower time; rallentado.
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Accelerando

(music) With a gradual increase in speed.

Ritardando

Gradually decreasing in tempo

Accelerando

Gradually accelerating the movement.

Accelerando

A gradually increasing tempo of music;
My ear will not accept such violent accelerandos

Accelerando

Gradually increasing in tempo

Accelerando

With increasing speed;
Here you must play accelerando

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