Lentando

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff where the slowing begins, sometimes followed by dashes to the point where the slower speed settles; a tempo, Tempo I or a new tempo word ends it. It describes a process, like rallentando, not a new fixed speed.

How Composers Use It

A gradual slowing, close in meaning to rallentando and much less common in print, which gives it a slightly more personal, Italianate flavour. Because it describes a process, say where it ends — follow it with a slower tempo word or with a tempo — or the performer has to guess how far to go. Pairing it with a diminuendo is common, but write that separately: the word itself concerns pace only.

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