Which term indicates immediately slower?

Study for the Certificate of Merit (CM) Piano Theory Level 9 Exam with comprehensive materials. Explore flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and get ready to ace your test with our detailed explanations and hints.

Multiple Choice

Which term indicates immediately slower?

Explanation:
In tempo markings, the way a piece changes speed matters: some markings slow the tempo gradually, others call for an immediate shift. The term that means to slow down right away is ritenuto. It tells you to hold back and drop the tempo immediately, often with a brief hesitation before returning to the original speed or moving to a new tempo. This is different from ritardando or rallentando, which describe a gradual, extended slowing over several notes. Sforzando is about an abrupt, strong accent on a note or chord rather than a tempo change, and sempre means “always,” not a change in tempo. So ritenuto is the correct indication for an immediate slowing.

In tempo markings, the way a piece changes speed matters: some markings slow the tempo gradually, others call for an immediate shift. The term that means to slow down right away is ritenuto. It tells you to hold back and drop the tempo immediately, often with a brief hesitation before returning to the original speed or moving to a new tempo. This is different from ritardando or rallentando, which describe a gradual, extended slowing over several notes. Sforzando is about an abrupt, strong accent on a note or chord rather than a tempo change, and sempre means “always,” not a change in tempo. So ritenuto is the correct indication for an immediate slowing.

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