The Definition of the Italian Music Command Accelerando

The Italian musical command accelerando (often abbreviated accel.) is an indication to gradually increase the tempo of a song until otherwise noted:

• The duration of an accelerando is marked by a dashed, horizontal line.
• An accelerando with no dashed line may be terminated with commands such as tempo primo or tempo comodo.
• Opposite of ritardando.

Also Known As:

• accélérez; en accélérant (Fr)
• beschleunigend; schneller (Ger)

Pronunciation:

• ack-sel'-er-AHN-doh