Help needed from musicians please.

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?

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Permalink Reply by Jody Stecher on April 11, 2015 at 16:55
Permalink Reply by marc dalmasso on April 11, 2015 at 21:48

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

Permalink Reply by John Cohen on April 11, 2015 at 22:16

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.

Permalink Reply by Trapdoor2 on April 11, 2015 at 23:02

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.

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