others. Terms for change in tempo Composers may use expressive marks to adjust the tempo: Accelerando – speeding up (abbreviation: accel.) Opposite of Ritardando, it is an Italian term pronounced as [aht-che-le-rahn-daw] and is defined by gradually increasing the tempo until the next tempo mark is noted. It is either marked by a dashed line or simply its abbreviation. Affrettando – speeding up with a suggestion of anxiety Allargando – growing broader; decreasing tempo, usually near the end of a piece Calando – going slower (and usually also softer) Doppio movimento / doppio più mosso – double-speed Doppio più lento – half-speed Lentando – gradually slowing, and softer Meno mosso – less movement; slower Meno moto – less motion Più mosso – more movement; faster Mosso – movement, more lively; quicker, much like più mosso, but not as extreme Precipitando – hurrying; going faster/forward Rallentando – a gradual slowing down (abbreviation: rall.) Ritardando – slowing down gradually; also see rallentando and ritenuto (abbreviations: rit., ritard.) sometimes replaces allargando. Ritenuto – slightly slower, but achieved more immediately than rallentando or ritardando; a sudden decrease in tempo; temporarily holding back. (Note that the abbreviation for ritenuto can also be rit. Thus a more specific abbreviation is riten. Also, sometimes ritenuto does not reflect a tempo change but rather a 'character' change.) Rubato – free adjustment of tempo for expressive purposes, literally "stolen"—so more strictly, to take time from one beat to slow another Slargando – gradually slowing down, literally "slowing down", "widening" or "stretching" Stretto – in a faster tempo, often used near the conclusion of a section. (Note that in fugal compositions, the term stretto refers to the imitation of the subject in close succession, before the subject is completed, and as such, suitable for the close of the fugue. Used in this context, the term is not necessarily related to tempo.) Stringendo – pressing on faster, literally "tightening" Tardando – slowing down gradually (same as ritardando) Tempo Primo – resume the original tempo While the base tempo indication (such as Allegro) typically appears in large type above the staff, adjustments typically appear below the staff or, in the case of keyboard instruments, in the middle of the grand staff. They generally designate a gradual change in tempo; for immediate tempo shifts, composers normally just provide the designation for the new tempo. (Note, however, that when Più mosso or Meno mosso