Dynamics and Expressive Techniques Flashcards
What does dynamics mean in music?
Dynamics refers 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)
What is the purpose of expressive techniques in music?
Expressive techniques are used to create musical detail and interest that articulates a style of interpretation of a style.
What are the four main aspects of Dynamics and Expressive techniques in music?
Changes in dynamic levels, emphasis on sounds, dynamic levels and expressive techniques.
When analysing dynamics in music, what should we be looking out for?
- How loud or soft the music is.
- How the volume changes during the pace.
- Where the emphasis (accent) is placed on particular sounds.
- The impact the volume has on the music.
Describe the use of dynamics during the Medieval period:
In the medieval period, dynamics were not a significant feature and volume levels mainly remained even throughout a piece.
Describe the use of dynamics during the Baroque period:
The Baroque period saw the beginning of the use of dynamics in music, but only in terms of loud and soft and there was no gradations between dynamic levels.
Describe the use of dynamics during the Classical period:
The classical period used soft and loud dynamic levels and also start to explore gradual changes between volume levels.
Describe the use of dynamics during the romantic period:
In the romantic period, composers explored a range of dynamics to convey powerful moods.
Describe the use of dynamics during the twentieth and twenty first century:
In the art music of the twentieth and twenty first century, composers and performers experimented greatly with all musical concepts including the extremes of dynamic levels.
What heavily influenced the changes of dynamic use in music overtime?
Improvements in instrumental technology.
Piano (p)
Soft
Pianissimo (pp)
Very soft
Pianississimo (ppp)
Very very soft
Pianissississimo (pppp)
Very very very soft
Mezzo piano (mp)
Moderately soft
Forte (f)
Loud
Fortissimo (ff)
Very loud
fortississimo (fff)
Very very loud
Fortissississmo (ffff)
Very very very loud
Crescendo
Gradually getting louder
Descrescendo/diminuendo
Gradually getting softer
Perdendo/perdenosi
Means loosing volume, fading into nothing, dying away
Fortepiano
Means loud and then immediately soft
Fortissimo piano
Very loud and then immediately soft
Mezzo forte piano
Moderately loud and then immediately soft
Pianoforte
Means soft and then immediately loud
In rilievo
Indicates that a particular instrument or part is to play louder than the others so it stands out.
Dal niente
From nothing, out of silence
Al niente
To nothing, fade to silence
Sotto voce
In an undertone (whispered or unvoiced)
Smorzando
Becoming muffled or toned down
Calando
Become softer and slower
Messa di voce
A style of singing involving changing volume while holding a single note
Poco
Little
Poco crescendo
Means get a little louder gradually
Poco decrescendo
Means get a little softer gradually
Explain accents
Accents are dynamic levels for specific notes and sounds. Accents are stresses on particular notes to shape the musical phrase.
Subito
Sudden changes
Subito piano
Suddenly softer
Subito forte
Suddenly louder
Szforzando
With sudden emphasis either on a note or chord.
Szforzando piano
Sudden emphasis then suddenly decreasing in loudness.
Marcato
Stressed
Reinforzando
Indicates that several notes, or a short phrase, are to be emphasized
Fermata
Indicates that the music stops and holds the note until the conductor or soloist moves on
Breath marks
Indicates a quick break, or for a wind instrument or voice, a breath.
Caesura
Also known as great pause which indicates a full stop and pause before the music continues.
