Terms Affecting the Tempo and Time-Beating

Gradually increasing the tempo.

Accelerando

At liberty; take time, permit liberties here

Ad libitum

Excitedly, increasing the tempo.

Affrettando

Exactly in rhythm

A punto

With some license; not perfectly rhythmic

Con alcuna licenza

Somewhat slower.

Etwas langsamer

In tempo

Im Takt

Slow, slower.

Langsam, Langsamer

Moderato

Mässig

Hurrying, pressing forward.

Pressando

Rhythmic feeling emphasized

Rythmé

Varying the note values within the rhythm, not strictly as written

Rubato

Condensing, accelerating the tempo. (Do not confuse with the stretto of the fugue form, which is only a condensing of the distance between subject and answer.)

Stretto

Accelerating the tempo.

Stringendo

Follow; usually refers to following the soloist who may take some liberties with the tempo for expression.

Suivez

Silent; usually means the particular instrument does not play in that movement of the work.

Tacet

A cut.

Taglio

The time, the measure, rhythmically; sometimes, an accenting of the first beat in the measure.

Takt

Not strictly in tempo.

Tempo rubato

Literally, holding back. Ritard.

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