Dynamics

Dynamics guide the performer to the volume of a section of music or a note.

Dynamics vary from very soft to very loud. Below shows the softest dynamic level to the loudest.

ppp     very very soft
pp       very soft (pianissimo)
p         soft (piano)
mp      quite soft (mezzo-piano)
mf       quite loud (mezzo-forte)
f          loud (forte)
ff         very loud (fortissimo)
fff        very very loud

fp        loud then immediately soft
pf        soft then immediately loud


diminuendo (dim.) gradually getting softer
crescendo (cresc.) gradually getting louder

Diminuendo can also be written:

Image by Louise MacPherson 21/11/2016

Crescendo can also be written:

Image by Louise MacPherson 21/11/2016

The piece of music below contains examples of dynamics.



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Gerou, T. and Lusk, L. (1996). Essential dictionary of music notation. 1st ed. Los Angeles: Alfred Pub. Co. pp. 133 to 142.