Rallentando

Musical Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Rallentando directs a gradual slowing of tempo, creating a sense of relaxation or broadening toward the end.

Detailed Definition
In poetry, rallentando indicates easing of pace through lengthening lines or increased caesuras, allowing winding down. Poets use it for decelerating conclusions. Its value shapes closure. By directing rallentando, verse mirrors natural deceleration, inviting readers to savor dissolution or reflection as momentum subsides, enhancing emotional resolution through controlled temporal release.
Example
Example in poetry:
Rallentando eases the pace gradually in the concluding lines, allowing relaxation and broadening toward reflective closure.; Poets indicate rallentando for decelerating emotional wind-down.; In the narrative poem, rallentando shapes natural dissolution.; The rallentando effect invites savoring of final moments.; Like musical rallentando, the verse controls temporal release.; The poet uses rallentando for measured deceleration.
Additional Notes
Rallentando gradually slows for relaxation. Poetry eases pace toward closure. Usage tip: lengthen for wind-down. Related to allargando, it shapes dissolution; professors control release.
Also Known As
gradual slowing tempo decrease ritardando
Skip to main content