Dynamics in Music -
Definition
Dynamic marks in music tell the musician how loud or soft the music
should be played. For instrumental parts the dynamic marks are placed
under a note beneath the musical stave. For a vocal or singing part the
dynamic mark is placed above a note on top of the musical stave
Signs of expression that relate to dynamics in music date back at
least as far as the year 1000 A.D. Modern terms used for this purpose
did not appear until some years after the invention of opera, the date
given by C.F.A. Williams in Grove's Dictionary being 1638. These words
and signs of expression were at first used only in connection with
instrumental music, but were also gradually applied to vocal music.
Dynamics in Music -
Tones & Scales
The term dynamics in music is related to the various degrees of power
(i.e., the comparative loudness and softness) of tones. All the terms
and expressions that refer to music dynamics are never absolute, they
are always relative. In music notation, it is possible to specify that
one measure is to be louder than another, but it is not possible to
identify exactly how loud either should be. The dynamics of a music
piece depend on the taste of the performer or conductor.
Dynamics in Music - Terms
The following
terms refer to music dynamics:
|
Dynamics in
Music - Term |
Dynamics in Music - Meaning |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Pianisissimo
(ppp) |
As
softly as possible |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Pianissimo
(pp) |
Very
softly |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Piano (p) |
Softly |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Mezzo piano
(mp) |
Medium
softly |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Mezzo forte
(mf) |
Medium
loudly |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Forte (f) |
Loudly
|
♪ ♫
♪
|
Fortissimo
(ff) |
Very
Loudly |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Fortisissimo
(fff) |
As
loudly as possible |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con alcuna
licenza |
With
some degree of license. |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con amore |
With
tenderness |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con bravura |
With
boldness |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con celerita |
With
rapidity |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con delicato |
With
delicacy |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con energico |
With
energy |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con
espressione |
With
expression |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con forza |
With
force |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con fuoco |
With
fire and passion |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con grand'
espressione |
With
great expression. |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con grazia |
With
grace. |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con
melinconia |
With
melancholy |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con passione |
With
passion |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con spirito |
With
spirit |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Con
tenerezza |
With
tenderness |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Delicato |
Delicately |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Dolce |
Sweetly,
gently |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Dolcissimo |
Most
sweetly |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Dolce e
cantabile |
Gently
and with singing tone |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Espressivo |
Expressively. |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Grandioso |
Grandly,
pompously |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Legato |
Smoothly |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Leggiero |
Lightly |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Grazioso |
Gracefully |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Giocoso |
Humorously |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Mesto |
Pensively |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Mezzo voce |
With half
voice |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Misterioso |
Mysteriously |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Pastoralei |
In simple
and unaffected style |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Pomposo |
Pompously |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Precipitoso |
Precipitously |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Risoluto |
Firmly,
resolutely |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Semplice |
Simply |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Sentimento |
With
sentiment |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Solenne |
Solemn |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Sotto voce |
in subdued
voice |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Spiritoso |
With spirit |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Strepitoso |
Precipitously |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Tranquillo |
Tranquilly |
♪ ♫
♪
|
Tristamente |
Sadly |
Dynamics in Music -
Worksheet
Need to test your musical
theory or looking for a quiz to test your students? Click on the link
below, print off and complete a useful worksheet which includes a quiz on
musical theory terms and notation. The answers have also been provided, just
click on the link at the bottom of the quiz for the answers in a
printable format.
Dynamics in Music
- Facts about Music
Dynamics in Music Facts....Did you know...
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 1:
The symbol 'f' is used in music dynamics to indicate
that a composition is to be played 'strongly' |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 2:
In music notation, dynamic marks tell the musician how
loud or soft a particular piece should be played |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 3:
In sheet music, dynamics are displayed a single letter
or group of letters which represent the Italian word or
words that the term translates to |
♫ |
Dynamics
Fact 4: The symbol 'ff' is used in music dynamics to
indicate that a composition is to be played 'very
loud/very strong' |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 5:
If the term 'Tristamente' is used, the piece should be
played 'sadly' |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 6:
Early composers such as Bach and Mozart used dynamics
infrequently. Only an occasional 'p' or 'f'' was
recorded in their sheet music |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 7:
Giovanni Gabrieli was a Renaissance composer. He was one
of the first composers to used dynamics in his music
notation |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 8:
Beethoven used the term 'ppp' (Pianississimo) meaning
'extremely soft' in many of his compositions |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 9:
The term 'piano' when used in the context of music
dynamics means 'softly' or 'weakly', it is usually
represented as the 'p' symbol |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 10:
The term Sforzando indicates a forceful accent and is
abbreviated as sf, sfz or fz |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 11:
The dynamic terms 'rinforzando' and 'rinforzato' mean
reinforced. They are used indicate a sudden increase in
power which usually extends over an entire phrase or
passage instead of applying only to a single tone or
chord |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 12:
In sheet music, the term Crescendo (abbreviation: cresc. or < ) means a gradual increase in power |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 13:
In music dynamics, the term Decrescendo
(abbreviation: decresc. or > ) means a gradual
decrease of the tone |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 14:
Sudden changes in music dynamics are often notated by
adding the word 'subito' meaning 'suddenly' as a prefix
or suffix to the new dynamic notation |
♫ |
Dynamics Fact 15:
Con grazia is the term used to indicate the piece is the
be played 'with grace' |
Dynamics in Music - Bible
References
Music was
mentioned many times in the bible, the following definition of
music is taken from Easton Bible Dictionary.
-
Jubal was the
inventor of musical instruments (Gen. 4:21). The Hebrews
were much given to the cultivation of music. Their whole
history and literature afford abundant evidence of this.
After the Deluge, the first mention of music is in the
account of Laban's interview with Jacob (Gen. 31:27). After
their triumphal passage of the Red Sea, Moses and the
children of Israel sang their song of deliverance (Ex. 15)
-
The period of
Samuel, David, and Solomon was the golden age of Hebrew
music, as it was of Hebrew poetry. Music was now for the
first time systematically cultivated. It was an essential
part of training in the schools of the prophets (1 Sam.
10:5; 19:19-24; 2 Kings 3:15; 1 Chr. 25:6). There now arose
also a class of professional singers (2 Sam. 19:35; Eccl.
2:8). The temple, however, was the great school of music. In
the conducting of its services large bands of trained
singers and players on instruments were constantly employed
(2 Sam. 6:5; 1 Chr. 15; 16; 23;5; 25:1-6)
Dream Explanation - Dynamics in Music
Hearing
harmonious and soothing music in your dream, is a good omen of
prosperity, pleasure and the expression of your emotions in a positive
way. Music serves to heal the soul. Hearing discordant music in your
dream means unhappiness and troubles in the home.
Dynamics in Music - Tattoos
Images used
in music dynamics are a great idea for tattoos. Looking for
inspiration for a unique tattoo design? Why not choose a musical
term or incorporate a selection of musical
symbols
or abbreviations in your own design? A great way to show your interest in the
fascinating world of music. Whether your preferred genre is Rock or
Classical, Disco or Country, There are a huge number of music
symbols to choose from - a great choice for a
tattoo! Browse through our selection of images and check out the
meaning of each one.
♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
Dynamics in Music ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
|