Dynamics

The levels

For loudness there is a graded language, mostly with Italian terms. The levels are not exact measurements but points of reference: forte means something different in a string quartet than in a large orchestra. What always matters is the relationship to one another, the contrast, not the absolute level.

The transitions are at least as important. The crescendo is the gradual getting louder, often the strongest build-up of tension in music at all. The decrescendo or diminuendo is the gradual getting softer. In notation both often appear as opening or closing hairpins under the notes. Add to that sudden changes: a subito piano can be more astonishing than any loud fortissimo, and the accent (sforzato) lifts a single note out with force.

Two ways of shaping

Terraced dynamics sets loud and soft sections side by side like steps, without transition. That is the typical sound of Baroque music, since many instruments of that time, such as the harpsichord, could not change their volume continuously. Gradual dynamics with crescendo and decrescendo caught on with instruments that allowed fine gradations. The pianoforte carries this achievement in its name: it literally means “soft-loud”.

Dynamics in the score

Piano

• Für Elise Ludwig van Beethoven, WoO 59 · piano · 3 pages

  The theme begins with “pp” under the first note; no further dynamic marking follows on the first page. The pedal marks below the lower staff affect the sound, not the volume.

• Armes Waisenkind Robert Schumann, op. 68 No. 6 · piano · 1 page

  Begins with “p”. Between the staves there are hairpins for crescendo and decrescendo.

Guitar

• Etüde Nr. 7 Matteo Carcassi, op. 60 No. 7 · guitar · 2 pages

  The first bar begins with “f”. After that come “dim.”, “cresc.” and “poco riten.” as instructions below or above the notes; at the end of part one there is “p”.

Common mistakes

• Always playing at the same volume: Dynamics lives on contrast.
• Reading absolute levels: forte is a relationship, not a measurement.
• Mixing up dynamics and timbre: Dynamics shapes how loud something sounds, timbre what it sounds with.