Gradato

Gradato is a musical term derived from the Italian word for "gradual." In music, it indicates that a change in tempo should be performed gradually, rather than suddenly. This is often used to describe a slowing down of the music, similar to a ritardando or rallentando, but it can also refer to a gradual increase in speed. The exact nuance of gradato can depend on the composer's intent and the musical context. It is typically notated in a score by the word "gradato" written above the staff, or sometimes with a dotted line indicating the duration of the gradual change. When faced with this marking, performers are expected to interpret the change in tempo with subtlety and expressiveness, allowing the music to flow naturally through the transition. The term is less common than ritardando or accelerando, but it offers composers a way to specify a nuanced temporal adjustment in their compositions.