Expression – Dynamics & Articulations

Dynamics

Music can be played really quiet, really loud, or anywhere in between. Dynamics tell us what our volume should be.

Instructions: Watch the video, then click here for a game based on what you learned!

Dynamics range from quiet (piano or p) to loud (forte or f).

Mezzo (medium) dynamics such as mezzo piano (mp) and mezzo forte (mf) are in the middle of the dynamic range.

Crescendos (<) tell us to gradually get louder, while decrescendos (>) tell us to gradually get quieter.

Watch the video for an explanation by Columbus Symphony Violinist Jonquil Thoms.