Changes of tempo
Composers may want to change the tempo during a piece of music. There are five concepts which cover changes of tempo:
Rallentando - when music is slowed down, normally for emphasis
Ritardando – slowing down, holding back
Accelerando – getting gradually faster
A Tempo – return to the original tempo after rallentando, ritardando or accelerando
Rubato – changing tempo and rhythms for expressive effect
Composers can signal changes of tempo by writing the terminology describing the change above the place in the music where they want the change to happen.
The piece above changes from rallentando to a tempo, with the terms written above the appropriate place in the music.
