1 Introduction to Music Theory: dynamics


Sounds can be experienced loud or soft. What actually is loud can be experienced quite differently by different people. Your neighbour's opinion about the loudness of your stereo may be very different to yours.

In music notation composers indicate the degree of loudness of the music.

 

 

pp

pianissimo

very soft

p

piano

soft

mp

mezzo piano

moderately soft

mf

mezzo forte

moderately loud

f

forte

loud

ff

fortissimo

very loud

 

Sometimes composers use even more letters to indicate they want a specific part very soft or loud. So they use pppp or ffff.

The dynamics of a sound can also change gradually. During the playing of a certain part the loudness has to increase or decrease steadily.

crescendo (cresc.)

gradually louder

diminuendo (dim.)

gradually softer


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