Notation - major and minor keys, and chord symbols
Notation - articulation
Notation - dynamics
Notation - musical scores
Notation - dynamics
Dynamics are alterations in the volume of a piece of music.
Dynamic marking and meaning
Dynamic marking
Meaning
<
Crescendo: getting louder
>
Diminuendo: getting quieter
pp
Pianissimo: very quiet
p
Piano: quiet
ff
Fortissimo: very loud
f
Forte: loud
mf
Mezzo forte: fairly loud
mp
Mezzo piano: fairly quiet
sf
Sforzando: sudden accent
> (marked near note head)
Accent: emphasis on a particular note
Dynamic marking
<
Meaning
Crescendo: getting louder
Dynamic marking
>
Meaning
Diminuendo: getting quieter
Dynamic marking
pp
Meaning
Pianissimo: very quiet
Dynamic marking
p
Meaning
Piano: quiet
Dynamic marking
ff
Meaning
Fortissimo: very loud
Dynamic marking
f
Meaning
Forte: loud
Dynamic marking
mf
Meaning
Mezzo forte: fairly loud
Dynamic marking
mp
Meaning
Mezzo piano: fairly quiet
Dynamic marking
sf
Meaning
Sforzando: sudden accent
Dynamic marking
> (marked near note head)
Meaning
Accent: emphasis on a particular note
Dynamics and the many different Italian terms that describe the loudness or softness of music
Dynamics were rarely used in the Baroque and Classical periods. In the Romantic period and beyond dynamics were used to create dramatic effects.
Dynamics beyond pp and ff are used occasionally. Tchaikovsky used ppp and fff to emphasise important moments. Holst uses ffff in Mars from The Planets, Tchaikovsky uses pppppp for a bassoon solo in his Pathétique Symphony.
Interpretation
Dynamics indicate a composer’s intentions. However, each conductor’s or performer’s interpretation of a dynamic will be different. ‘Forte’ does not mean a certain number of decibels - it will be interpreted by the performer to express the music. Dynamics are a way of indicating expression and musicality, not just how loudly or quietly music should be played.
Next pageNotation - musical scoresPrevious pageNotation - articulation