Dynamics
In music, one of the most important aspects that give character to the music and make it interesting is the music. The volume of sound is indicated by symbols known as Dynamics.
PP
P MP MF F FF |
Pianissimo Piano Mezzo-Piano Mezzo-Forte Forte Fortissimo |
Very Quiet Quiet Medium Quiet Medium Loud Loud Very Loud |
When the dynamic is sudden then an s is added before the dynamic. This is known as Subito. Thus subito piano, sp, means suddenly soft. subito forte, sf, means suddenly loud.
When the dynamic change is gradual a crescendo or diminuendo is used. A Crescendo indicates a gradual increase in volume. A Diminuendo is a gradual decrease in volume. It is also popular to call a diminuendo a decrescendo, however this is not the official term.
When the dynamic change is gradual a crescendo or diminuendo is used. A Crescendo indicates a gradual increase in volume. A Diminuendo is a gradual decrease in volume. It is also popular to call a diminuendo a decrescendo, however this is not the official term.
Photo Credit: [Crescendo and Diminuendo] Wikimedia Commons retrieved on 10/2/2013 from commons.wikimedia.org