What term means gradually slower and broader?

• A. Allargando
• B. Rallentando
• C. Staccato
• D. Legato

Answer: (A)

Gradually slower and broader is conveyed by allargando. This marking asks you to slow the tempo while expanding the musical feel—letting the phrasing widen, the notes sustain longer, and the line take on a more expansive, majestic character. It’s not just about slowing the beat; it’s about enriching the phrase as you go.

Rallentando also means slowing down, but it centers on tempo change without necessarily signaling a broader, more expansive line. Staccato directs short, detached notes, which is about articulation rather than tempo or breadth. Legato calls for smooth, connected notes, focusing on connection rather than slowing and widening the phrase.