What does the term accelerando indicate in a musical score?

The term accelerando signifies that the tempo of the music should gradually increase. When a composer marks a section of music with this term, it instructs the performers to play faster over a specified portion of the piece. This technique can create a sense of excitement or urgency in the music, often building up to a climactic moment.

In contrast, the other options convey different musical concepts. For instance, the idea of gradually slowing down is referred to as "ritardando." Short, detached notes are characterized by the term "staccato," which affects the articulation of the notes rather than their tempo. Lastly, the dynamics of music getting softer is described by the term "piano" or indications like "diminuendo," which focus on volume rather than speed. Thus, understanding the term accelerando is crucial for interpreting how a piece of music should be performed, particularly in passages that require a build-up in intensity.