Gradually faster

As Printed on a Score

Printed at the bar where the acceleration begins, usually followed by dashes or a dotted line to the bar where the new tempo is reached, which may carry a tempo word or metronome mark. Without such an end point, the acceleration runs until the next tempo direction.

How Composers Use It

Plain-English accelerando. As a process its end matters as much as its start, so name the target (gradually faster to Presto) or mark the arrival. Tempo and dynamic need not grow together: an acceleration under a steady p is a distinctive effect, and writing the two processes separately lets you choose.

Related Terms