Reading Music:
Dynamics & Articulations
Mr. Test
Music Appreciation
TRHS South
Setting the Mood

So far, we have explored the “nuts &
bolts” of written music:
 Pitches
 Accidentals
& keys
 Tempo & rhythms
While all of the above are important, they
can only go so far to create the “feel”
(character) of a musical work.
 Dynamics & articulations complete the
musical picture for the performers.

Dynamics
Dynamics are the symbols that tell
performers how soft or loud to play a
line.
 There are two types of dynamics:

 Symbols
that tell performers specific
volume levels
 Symbols that tell performers to get louder
or softer during the course of a line
Dynamics: Volume Symbols

For specific volume levels, composers use italicized
initials that stand for Italian names for volume:
 pp = very soft (pianissimo)
 p = soft (piano)
 P = medium soft (mezzo-piano)
F
= medium loud (mezzo-forte): the “default” volume for
most music
f
= loud (forte)
 ff = very loud (fortissimo)
Dynamics: Gradual Changes


Music does not normally go directly from soft to loud or
vice-versa; usually, there is a gradual increase or
decrease in volume.
The original gradual change symbols are Italian,
italicized abbreviations:



cresc. - gradually louder (crescendo)
decresc. - gradually softer (decrescendo)
For more precise expression, “hairpin” symbols are used:


- crescendo
- decrescendo
Dynamics in Music

Dynamics are almost always placed underneath
the staff.

Example with italicized words (only the melody
line is shown):

Same example with “hairpin” symbols:
Articulations
Articulations are attached to individual or
groups of notes; they tell the performer the
style to use to play the note(s).
 Nearly all articulations are placed over/under
the note head, on the opposite side of the
stem.
 Some basic articulations include:




Accent: sharp “attack” on the beginning of the note.
Staccato: played quickly and with separation.
Legato: played smoothly without separation.
Articulation Examples

Accent: “>” over/under each note:

Staccato: “.” over/under each note:

Legato: Arc across notes:
>
H>
h
.
Q.
q
Q
QQQ
Q
Q
QQ
Putting It All Together

The notes, rhythms, tempo, dynamics, and
articulations all combine to create the
particular “feel” of a piece.

Modifying any (or all!) of these parts can
completely change how a piece feels to the
listener.

A good composer or songwriter masters all of
these elements, as well as melody & harmony,
to create wonderful works of music.
Congratulations!

Now you have all the basics of music literacy:
note names, rhythms, and artistic elements.

However, remember that these are the basics!
There is plenty more to learn; that is where
music theory comes in.