TEMPO ADJUSTERS
Q asked me to teach tempo adjusters while he completes his orbit, and he promises to review tempo adjusters in unique ways upon his return.
Tempo adjusters do exactly that, they tell you to adjust the speed of music, when to slow down or speed up the tempo.
Often, pieces of music slow down before they reach their conclusion, which helps the audience to know the music is over, making the performance sound complete.
The most frequent tempo adjuster is Ritardando.
Did you notice that Allargando’s root word is largo? Allargando implies performance with a smooth and connected sound.
A variation of Ritardando is Ritenuto, which is a slight slowing of tempo.
Ritardando means to perform a gradual slowing of the tempo.
Rallentando and Allargando are tempo adjusters for extreme slowing.
Wow, those were a lot of big words. Fear not! Q’s Tempo Adjusters Chart is ahead , so please read on.
