What does the marking 'ritardando' mean?

The marking 'ritardando' indicates that the performer should gradually decrease the tempo of the music. This term originates from the Italian word for "slowing down" and is often abbreviated as 'rit.' When a piece of music specifies 'ritardando,' it communicates to the musician to ease off the pace, creating a feeling of relaxation or suspense as the music progresses.

In contrast, the other answer choices refer to different musical techniques or expressions. For example, to speed up the tempo is indicated by terms like 'accelerando,' and playing quietly is denoted by dynamics such as 'piano.' The term for playing staccato relates to a style of articulation meaning to play the notes short and detached. Thus, 'ritardando' specifically pertains to a reduction in tempo, making the correct answer focused on slowing down the pace within the performance.