Music Dynamics and Articulation

Dynamics

• p (piano): soft
• mp (mezzo piano): medium soft
• pp (pianissimo): very soft
• f (forte): loud
• mf (mezzo forte): medium loud
• ff (fortissimo): very loud
• subito piano: suddenly soft

Accidentals

• Flat (b): lowers the pitch of a note by a half step
• Sharp (#): raises the pitch of a note by a half step
• Natural (♮): cancels a flat or sharp

Articulation

• accent (>): a single note played with emphasis
• sforzando (sfz): a sudden, strong accent
• fermata ( 𝄐 ): prolongs the note, often held until the conductor indicates otherwise
• tenuto: a note should be held for its full value
• ritardando (rit.): gradually slowing down the tempo
• rallentando (rall.): gradually slowing down the tempo
• crescendo (cresc.): gradually increasing the volume
• decrescendo (decresc.): gradually decreasing the volume
• diminuendo (dim.): gradually decreasing the volume
• legato: notes are played smoothly and connected
• staccato ( • ): notes are played with a short separation between them, separated and detached.
• **( ) **: indicates a single note that is played with a very short separation between it and the previous note
• tie: connects two notes of the same pitch and tells the performer to hold the note for the combined duration of the tied notes.
• slur: joins two or more notes together, indicating they should be played smoothly and connected
• octave (8va): indicates the note should be played an octave higher or lower, depending on the placement of the 8va.

Form and Structure

• D.C. al Fine: "Da Capo al Fine" - repeat from the beginning (Capo) to the end (Fine)
• D.S. al Fine: "Dal Segno al Fine"- repeat from the sign (Segno) to the end (Fine)
• Metronome: a device used to set a precise tempo
• Tempo: the speed of music

Tempo Markings

• Tempo I or a tempo: return to the original tempo
• Largo: very slow
• Andante: walking pace
• Moderato: moderate tempo
• Allegro: fast
• Presto: very fast