Black Door Music Services T: 0115 9464288
Long Eaton W: www.blackdoormusicservices.co.uk
Nottingham
NG10 1EF
Symbols
(Dynamics & articulation)
Dynamics
Expression in music can be indicated in several different ways.
Dynamic symbols indicate the volume of playing for that passage or note.
Symbol Stands for Meaning
Fortissimo Very loud
Forte Loud
Mezzo forte Moderately loud
Mezzo piano Moderately soft
Piano Softly
Pianissimo Very softly
Sforzando Suddenly accented
As well as set level indicators, as above, we can use the following symbols to show gradual changes in
dynamics:
Symbol Stands for Meaning
or cresc. Crescendo Gradually getting louder
or dim. Diminuendo Gradually getting softer
Articulation
The 2 types of articulation are staccato & legato
Staccato means to play notes short & detached and is indicated by a simple dot either over or under the
note head
Legato means to play smooth and connected notes. It is, usually, indicated by a curved line (slur) over or
under the notes
DRUM TUITION GUITAR TUITION PIANO TUITION
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