The louds and softs of music.
The Basics
Piano = quiet
Forte = loud
Mezzo = medium
The suffix issimo = very
The “Quiets”
Pianissimo = very quiet
Piano = quiet
Mezzo Piano = medium quiet
The “Louds”
Mezzo Forte = medium loud
Forte = loud
Fortissimo – very loud
The order from quietest to loudest
pp p mp mf f ff
Notice that the “issimo’s” are at
the extremes (or outer ends)
pp p mp mf f ff
Notice the “mezzo’s are in the
middle.
pp p mp mf f ff
Three words are used to gradually
get louder of quieter.
Crescendo (cresc.) – gradually get louder
Decrescendo (decresc.) – gradually get quieter
Diminuendo (dim.) – gradually get quieter
English comparisons
Notice that Crescendo is the same as the English word
Increase.
Notice that decrescendo is the same as the English word
to decrease.
Diminuendo is the English word to dim.
Symbols
Decrescendo can also be shown in the symbol
Notice the volume of the symbol decreases as it moves to
the right.
Symbols
Crescendo can also be shown in the symbol
Notice the volume of the symbol increases as it moves to the right.
Check you understanding
Write the order of
dynamics in the order of
quietest to loudest.
Correct!
pp p mp mf f ff
Write the Italian and English words
for the following:
mf
Correct!
mf
means mezzo forte and
medium loud
Write the Italian and English words
for the following:
f
Correct!
F means Forte and loud
Write the Italian and English words
for the following:
mp
Correct!
mp means mezzo piano
and medium quiet
Write the Italian and English words
for the following:
pp
Correct!
pp means
pianissimo and
very quiet
Write the Italian and English words
for the following:
ff
Correct!
ff means
fortissimo and
very loud.
Write the Italian and the English
words for the following:
p
Correct!
p means piano
and quiet
What is the definition
for
Dynamics?
Correct!
The definition for
dynamics is the
louds and quiets of
music.
Congratulations on
your Success!