progredendo

Progredendo is a term used in musical notation, originating from the Italian verb progredire, meaning to go forward or to advance. In scores, progredendo functions as an instruction to increase forward momentum within a passage, though its exact interpretation is context dependent and not a precise tempo marking.

In practice, progredendo can indicate a gradual enhancement of speed, energy, or character as a piece progresses. It is not a fixed metronome instruction like accelerando; rather, it suggests a qualitative motion toward greater propulsion, often accompanying other markings such as dynamics or phrasing. Because it is relatively rare in modern editions, its specific effect is usually inferred from the surrounding musical context and the performer's sense of forward momentum.

Usage and interpretation vary by era and edition. In some scores, progredendo may be used alongside accelerando or stringendo to emphasize a transition into a more intense section, while in other cases it may indicate a general forward progression in the musical idea rather than a strictly timed speed change. Editors of early music sometimes employ progredendo to preserve authentic performance practice, whereas later publishers may replace it with more explicit tempo marks.

See also: accelerando, stringendo, crescendo, tempo marking. Progredendo remains a relatively obscure directive, valued for its nuanced suggestion of forward motion rather than a precise metrical instruction.