Scribd
Upload
3 views

Dynamics

The document provides an overview of music dynamics, which describe the volume variations in music that convey emotion and expression. It categorizes dynamics into static dynamics, which maintain a constant volume, and changing dynamics, which involve gradual or sudden volume changes, with terms like crescendo and decrescendo. Additionally, it includes a challenge to analyze the dynamics in John Williams' 'Duel of the Fates' to understand their emotional impact.

Uploaded by

veecuentas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views

Dynamics

The document provides an overview of music dynamics, which describe the volume variations in music that convey emotion and expression. It categorizes dynamics into static dynamics, which maintain a constant volume, and changing dynamics, which involve gradual or sudden volume changes, with terms like crescendo and decrescendo. Additionally, it includes a challenge to analyze the dynamics in John Williams' 'Duel of the Fates' to understand their emotional impact.

Uploaded by

veecuentas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Music Theory Cheat Sheets hello music theory

Dynamics
Quick Definition

What Are Dynamics?


Dynamics is the word we use to describe the volume of music. It refers not only to the overall volume of a piece but also to
the variations in volume throughout the music. These variations play a critical role in conveying emotion and expression,
adding depth and dimension to the music.
Dynamics can be constant - at a fixed volume but also change, either abruptly or gradually, over the course of a few notes, a
musical phrase, or even an entire section of a piece.

Static Dynamics
Static dynamics are musical instructions that tell us to play the music at a certain volume that doesn’t change. In other words,
don’t get louder or quieter, play each note at the same volume as the last one.
Below is a table of all the common static dynamics, their symbol and definition.

Term
Term Symbol Definition

Pianississimo Very, very quiet

Pianissimo Very quiet

Piano Quiet

Mezzo Piano Moderately quiet

Mezzo Forte Moderately loud

Forte Loud

Fortissimo Very loud

Fortississimo Very, very loud

Did You Know?

You Can Have Even More Ps and Fs


You’re unlikely to see static dynamics other than these but there have been some composers who’ve used even more ps
and fs to make some very extreme dynamics. For example, in ‘Mars, The Bringer of War’ from ‘The Planets,’ composer Gustav
Holst uses fortissississimo (ffff) which means very, very, very loud.
Another example of some extreme dynamics is from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Symphony No. 6’. In the first movement he writes a lot of
ps, six ps at one point which is pianississississimo, or very, very, very, very, very quiet.

© HelloMusicTheory.com
Music Theory Cheat Sheets hello music theory

Changing Dynamics
The other type of dynamic markings that you’ll see has to do with changing dynamics. This is where the music isn’t staying at
one volume but gradually or suddenly increasing or decreasing in volume.
The two most common are crescendo and decrescendo.
Decrescendo

Crescendo

Crescendo Decrescendo
We use the Italian word crescendo (pronounced ‘kruh- The opposite of crescendo is decrescendo, which
shen-doh.’) which means to ‘gradually get louder’. means to ‘gradually get quieter’. It comes from the Italian
It comes from the Italian word for increasing. word for decreasing.
It is often abbreviated to ‘cresc.’ in a piece of music but It gets abbreviated to ‘decresc.‘ but we can also use a
you can also draw a hairpin sign which is just two lines hairpin sign where the two lines start apart and gradually
starting together and gradually getting further apart. get closer together until they meet.

Term Symbol Definition

Crescendo Gradually get louder

Decrescendo Gradually get quieter

Diminuendo Gradually get quieter

Sforzando A strong, sudden accent

Subito forte Suddenly loud

Fortepiano Loud, then immediately soft

Reinforced - Played with a


Rinforzando
sudden increase of force

Subito piano Suddenly quiet

Challenge

Analyze the Dynamics in "Duel of the Fates"


Listen to John Williams' "Duel of the Fates" from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Listen to how the dynamic variations
enhance this epic composition. Listen carefully for changes in volume and intensity, noting how they influence the mood and
underscore what’s taking place on screen. Reflect on why these shifts occur and their impact on your emotional response.

© HelloMusicTheory.com

You might also like