Accelerando is a term used to indicate a gradual increase in tempo or speed. It comes from the Italian word “accelerare,” which means to hasten or accelerate. When an accelerando is indicated in sheet music, it means that the performer should gradually speed up the tempo of the music, typically by taking slightly shorter pauses between notes or by gradually increasing the speed of the beats. The effect can create a sense of excitement and energy, as the music builds towards a climax or faster tempo. Conversely, a decelerando indicates a gradual slowing of tempo.
