Dynamics and Musical Expression

In Reading Music, Vol. 21, we examine dynamic markings. Changes in volume are essential for shaping a phrase, conveying emotion, and giving music direction. But how do you communicate those intentions to another player through notation? Dynamic markings provide the answer. Perform the music at the indicated level wherever these markings appear. Six common markings are introduced in the example below.

These are the basic dynamic markings used to indicate how softly or loudly to play. In the next lesson, we will look at crescendo and decrescendo: gradual changes in dynamics.