Understand
Dynamics, Articulation and Tempo Terms
The words and signs that shape a performance.
Class code
3KNVDynamics
How loud, and how the loudness changes.
- pp very quiet, p quiet, mp moderately quiet
- mf moderately loud, f loud, ff very loud
- crescendo - getting louder; diminuendo - getting quieter
Articulation
How each note is started and joined.
- Staccato dot - short and detached
- Slur - joined smoothly (legato)
- Accent - stronger attack
- Tenuto line - held to full length
Changing speed
Rallentando and ritardando slow down, accelerando speeds up, a tempo returns to the original speed, and rubato allows flexible timing.
Try it
Test yourself