What is the term used for a musical passage that indicates to slow down gradually?

What is the term used for a musical passage that indicates to slow down gradually?

• A. Ad libitum
• B. Rallentando
• C. Accent
• D. Ben marcato

Answer: (B)

The term that indicates to slow down gradually is "rallentando." This musical directive instructs the performer to gradually decrease the tempo of the music, creating a feeling of relaxation or a gentle decrease in intensity as the piece progresses. This technique is often employed to convey a sense of farewell or to heighten emotional expression within a performance. Ad libitum refers to a performer’s freedom to alter the tempo or rhythm of a passage, often resulting in a more spontaneous interpretation, but it does not specifically indicate a gradual slowdown. Accent indicates a note should be played with a stronger emphasis or attack, and ben marcato suggests a marked or emphatic style in playing but does not pertain to tempo changes. Thus, rallentando is the precise term that captures the essence of slowing down gradually in a musical context.

The term that indicates to slow down gradually is "rallentando." This musical directive instructs the performer to gradually decrease the tempo of the music, creating a feeling of relaxation or a gentle decrease in intensity as the piece progresses. This technique is often employed to convey a sense of farewell or to heighten emotional expression within a performance.

Ad libitum refers to a performer’s freedom to alter the tempo or rhythm of a passage, often resulting in a more spontaneous interpretation, but it does not specifically indicate a gradual slowdown. Accent indicates a note should be played with a stronger emphasis or attack, and ben marcato suggests a marked or emphatic style in playing but does not pertain to tempo changes. Thus, rallentando is the precise term that captures the essence of slowing down gradually in a musical context.