Help needed from musicians please.

[thereallyniceman]

I have never understood the different ways to play a "Rit" or a  "Rall" on musical scores.

More exactly, I understand they are Ritardando and Rallentando, but despite hunting the net I still can't get the difference clearly in my mind.

Anyone able to explain the difference in the two terms in a way that even a simple soul, like me, can understand please?

[Jody Stecher]

According to *this* , nobody knows:  

http://colorinmypiano.com/2010/09/03/rallentando-ritardando-whats-t...

[marc dalmasso]

i   can only explain about a " Rital " ; in French , familiar to say a guy from Italy

[John Cohen]

Ritardando just means to slow down.  In the classical orchestras, jazz groups, and concert bands I've played in, it's really up to the conductor to interpret how much and how gradually to slow down.  As for Rallentando, I really have no idea.  I've been playing in ensembles for 12 years now and have never encountered it.  I've heard it described as a more abrupt slowing compared to Ritardando, but a quick internet search suggests that it means different things to different people.  When playing without a conductor, I think it's up to you to decide how to execute a Rit.

[Trapdoor2]

I see both used in the banjo sheet music of the period and never did figure out which was which (and simply use them interchangably).

I like the explanation in Jody's link. Ritardando = slowing down your car using the brakes. Rallentando = taking the car out of gear and letting it reduce speed by coasting.