Guide to Dynamics in Music: How to Notate Changes in Volume

Dynamics are changes in the volume of a musical passage. Just as each note has a unique timbre on each instrument, it also sounds different at different volumes. Some musicians, conductors, and composers communicate dynamic information in English, using words like "louder" and "softer." A formal musical score usually features traditional Italian words like *forte* and *piano* to describe dynamic levels. Composers indicate increases and decreases in volume with graphic music notation. Musicians need a working knowledge of dynamic range because most instruments sound remarkably different when played at different volumes. This may be most noticeably the case with woodwinds and brass instruments, but even some electronic instruments, like the electric guitar, have a distinct tonal quality when played louder or softer due to the [physics of guitar amplifiers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-pick-an-amp-with-tips-from-tom-morello-and-carlos-santana). Like many musical terms, dynamic markings traditionally appear on sheet music as abbreviated Italian terms. From softest to loudest, they are: - *__ppp__*: abbreviation of *pianississimo* meaning "very, very soft" - *__pp__*: abbreviation of *pianissimo* meaning "very soft" - *__p__*: abbreviation of *piano* meaning "soft" - *__mp__*: abbreviation of *mezzo-piano* meaning "somewhat soft" - *__mf__*: abbreviation of *mezzo-forte* meaning "somewhat loud" - *__f__*: abbreviation of *forte* meaning "loud" - *__ff__*: abbreviation of *fortissimo* meaning "very loud" - *__fff__*: abbreviation of *fortississimo* meaning "very, very loud" Sometimes a piece of music requires sudden changes in loudness, effectively resulting in accented notes. Most composers express accents with graphic music notation, but some composers and arrangers prefer the Italian terms *sforzando*, *sforzato*, *forzando*, or *forzato*—in music notation, *__sfz__*, *__sf__*, or *__fz__*—all of which indicate sudden forceful emphasis. Classical composers also sometimes use the marking *__fp__*, which stands for *fortepiano* and means a *forte* accent immediately followed by *piano*. Some dynamic symbols and markings describe gradual changes in musical volume. Both graphic symbols and Italian terms are common indicators of dynamic change in sheet music. Italian terms are more likely to appear in classical scores, while jazz and pop charts tend to use graphic notation known as "hairpins" or "alligator jaws." The key terms for basic dynamic changes are: - *__crescendo__*: gradually increasing in volume (abbreviated *__cresc__*. on musical scores) - *__decrescendo__*: gradually decreasing in volume (abbreviated *__decresc__*. on musical scores) - *__diminuendo__*: essentially synonymous with *decrescendo* (abbreviated *__dim__*. on musical scores) Contemporary musical scores typically express these concepts using “hairpin” notation. These dynamic markings appear in the following form: The opening of these “hairpins” indicates loudness. So hairpins that start open and become closed indicate *diminuendo*. Hairpins that start closed and gradually open indicate crescendo. These markings can extend over multiple measures as needed. Grab a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/), stretch out those fingers, and get your strum on with a little help from the Jimi Hendrix of ‘ukulele, Jake Shimabukuro. With some pointers from this Billboard chart topper, you’ll be an expert on chords, tremolo, vibrato, and more in no time. In the language of music theory, dynamics are changes in the volume with which a musician plays their instrument.