Dynamics & Expressive Techniques 1
From the syllabus:
Dynamics refer to the volume of sound. Important aspects include the relative softness and loudness of sound, change of loudness (contrast), and the emphasis on individual sounds (accent).
Expressive techniques refers to the musical detail that articulates a style or interpretation of a style.
Students should understand and apply the following (where appropriate to the musical context):
• a range of dynamics, including gradations
• articulations
• tempo, including gradations
• stylistic indications.
Dynamics refer to the volume of sound. Important aspects include the relative softness and loudness of sound, change of loudness (contrast), and the emphasis on individual sounds (accent).
Expressive techniques refers to the musical detail that articulates a style or interpretation of a style.
Students should understand and apply the following (where appropriate to the musical context):
• a range of dynamics, including gradations
• articulations
• tempo, including gradations
• stylistic indications.
Dynamics
al niente dolce fp marcato morendo Sforzando sotto voce Subito ‘Dynamic Grid’ - Pianissimo - Piano - Mezzo Piano - Mezzo Forte - Forte - Fortissimo - Crescendo - Decrescendo/Diminuendo Terraced Dynamics Dynamics Through Time - Medieval - Renaissance - Baroque - Classical - Romantic - 20th + 21st Centuries |
Accent
Arco Bend Breathing / Panting Brushes (Wire) Chorus Con Legno Con Sordino Distortion Doink / Voice Fleck Double Stopping Drop Drum Roll Echo/Delay Falsetto Flutter Tonguing Fret Noises Glissando Glottal Stop Harmonic Jet Whistle Key Clicks Laughing Legato Melisma Multiphonics Mute - Straight Mute - Bucket Mute - Wah Wah - Cup Mute |
Overtone Singing
Pedal Gliss Pizzicato Portamento Prepared Piano Reverb Rim Shot Rubato Scat Screaming / Shouting Slap Slap Tonguing Slurp Speaking Sprechstimme Staccato Strummed Sustain / Damper Pedal Talk Box Tambourine Roll Tenuto Tonguing Tremolo Vibrato Vocoder Whispering |
al niente
To nothing. Usually a sustained note decrescendos to nothing.
To nothing. Usually a sustained note decrescendos to nothing.
dolce
Sweetly. This is a stylistic indication rather than a dynamic. If an instrument is playing particularly sweetly this word is appropriate. If an instrument is aggressive and harsh and changes it tone to a nicer one this word may apply.
Sweetly. This is a stylistic indication rather than a dynamic. If an instrument is playing particularly sweetly this word is appropriate. If an instrument is aggressive and harsh and changes it tone to a nicer one this word may apply.
fp
Indicates a Sforzando followed immediately by piano. Here is an example from Haydn’s ‘Surprise Symphony’.
Indicates a Sforzando followed immediately by piano. Here is an example from Haydn’s ‘Surprise Symphony’.
marcato
Stressed, pronounced. An example from a Rachmaninov Piano Concerto.
Stressed, pronounced. An example from a Rachmaninov Piano Concerto.
morendo
Dying away. This is a stylistic word. If the piece sounds like it is dying away use this word!)
Dying away. This is a stylistic word. If the piece sounds like it is dying away use this word!)
Sforzando
A strong, sudden accent and it is abbreviated by sfz
A strong, sudden accent and it is abbreviated by sfz
sotto
voce
The opposite of marcato, in an subtle undertone (soft). In this example the clarinet (which is the solo melodic instrument) has to play sotto voce so that the piano can bring out the melody.
The opposite of marcato, in an subtle undertone (soft). In this example the clarinet (which is the solo melodic instrument) has to play sotto voce so that the piano can bring out the melody.
Subito
A sudden change in dynamics. Here is an example of Subito Forte from Haydn’s ‘Surprise Symphony.
A sudden change in dynamics. Here is an example of Subito Forte from Haydn’s ‘Surprise Symphony.
Dynamic Grid
Pianississimo
|
Pianissimo
|
Piano
|
Mezzo Piano
|
Mezzo Forte
|
Forte
|
Fortissimo
|
Fortississimo
|
Crescendo
|
Decrescendo
|
Dynamics Through Time
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