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Understand Music Theory: Dynamics

by Margaret Richer

In musical terms, the word, dynamics, is often confused with the term, expression. In a general way, expression means anything about the quality of a performance, including such things as phrasing, speed and volume. It is everything that gives individuality to a performance. Dynamics deal exclusively with degrees of volume of sound, or in other words, the loudness or softness of a piece. Words or signs are written below the staff at the beginning of a piece, with new instructions given throughout. They are generally indicated by Italian terms and individual letters such as forte or f for loud, and piano or p for soft. The word ‘mezzo’ is sometimes added before the words or letters, changing the dynamics to medium loud or medium soft. Examples are mezzo forte or mf, and mezzo piano or mp.

Some changes in volume are gradual, while others appear suddenly. The word ‘crescendo’ means gradually getting louder, while ‘descrescendo’ is the opposite, gradually getting softer. It is important that the music notation shows where the gradual dynamic changes both start and end. There are also various terms and signs to indicate a sudden change or emphasis in volume. ‘Sforzando’, meaning forced, and the accent mark are just two examples.

Dynamic marks are never exact indications of the volume. They need to be taken in context and judged in relation to the mood or style of the overall work and the previous volume levels of the music.


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