Dynamics and Expressive Techniques

Question 1

What does dynamics mean in music?

Answer 1

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)

Question 2

What is the purpose of expressive techniques in music?

Answer 2

Expressive techniques are used to create musical detail and interest that articulates a style of interpretation of a style.

Question 3

What are the four main aspects of Dynamics and Expressive techniques in music?

Answer 3

Changes in dynamic levels, emphasis on sounds, dynamic levels and expressive techniques.

Question 4

When analysing dynamics in music, what should we be looking out for?

Answer 4

1. How loud or soft the music is.
2. How the volume changes during the pace.
3. Where the emphasis (accent) is placed on particular sounds.
4. The impact the volume has on the music.

Question 5

Describe the use of dynamics during the Medieval period:

Answer 5

In the medieval period, dynamics were not a significant feature and volume levels mainly remained even throughout a piece.

Question 6

Describe the use of dynamics during the Baroque period:

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Describe the use of dynamics during the Classical period:

Answer 7

The classical period used soft and loud dynamic levels and also start to explore gradual changes between volume levels.

Question 8

Describe the use of dynamics during the romantic period:

Answer 8

In the romantic period, composers explored a range of dynamics to convey powerful moods.

Question 9

Describe the use of dynamics during the twentieth and twenty first century:

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What heavily influenced the changes of dynamic use in music overtime?

Answer 10

Improvements in instrumental technology.

Question 11

Piano (p)

Answer 11

Soft

Question 12

Pianissimo (pp)

Answer 12

Very soft

Question 13

Pianississimo (ppp)

Answer 13

Very very soft

Question 14

Pianissississimo (pppp)

Answer 14

Very very very soft

Question 15

Mezzo piano (mp)

Answer 15

Moderately soft

Question 16

Forte (f)

Answer 16

Loud

Question 17

Fortissimo (ff)

Answer 17

Very loud

Question 18

fortississimo (fff)

Answer 18

Very very loud

Question 19

Fortissississmo (ffff)

Answer 19

Very very very loud

Question 20

Crescendo

Answer 20

Gradually getting louder

Question 21

Descrescendo/diminuendo

Answer 21

Gradually getting softer

Question 22

Perdendo/perdenosi

Answer 22

Means loosing volume, fading into nothing, dying away

Question 23

Fortepiano

Answer 23

Means loud and then immediately soft

Question 24

Fortissimo piano

Answer 24

Very loud and then immediately soft

Question 25

Mezzo forte piano

Answer 25

Moderately loud and then immediately soft

Question 26

Pianoforte

Answer 26

Means soft and then immediately loud

Question 27

In rilievo

Answer 27

Indicates that a particular instrument or part is to play louder than the others so it stands out.

Question 28

Dal niente

Answer 28

From nothing, out of silence

Question 29

Al niente

Answer 29

To nothing, fade to silence

Question 30

Sotto voce

Answer 30

In an undertone (whispered or unvoiced)

Question 31

Smorzando

Answer 31

Becoming muffled or toned down

Question 32

Calando

Answer 32

Become softer and slower

Question 33

Messa di voce

Answer 33

A style of singing involving changing volume while holding a single note

Question 34

Poco

Answer 34

Little

Question 35

Poco crescendo

Answer 35

Means get a little louder gradually

Question 36

Poco decrescendo

Answer 36

Means get a little softer gradually

Question 37

Explain accents

Answer 37

Accents are dynamic levels for specific notes and sounds. Accents are stresses on particular notes to shape the musical phrase.

Question 38

Subito

Answer 38

Sudden changes

Question 39

Subito piano

Answer 39

Suddenly softer

Question 40

Subito forte

Answer 40

Suddenly louder

Question 41

Szforzando

Answer 41

With sudden emphasis either on a note or chord.

Question 42

Szforzando piano

Answer 42

Sudden emphasis then suddenly decreasing in loudness.

Question 43

Marcato

Answer 43

Stressed

Question 44

Reinforzando

Answer 44

Indicates that several notes, or a short phrase, are to be emphasized

Question 45

Fermata

Answer 45

Indicates that the music stops and holds the note until the conductor or soloist moves on

Question 46

Breath marks

Answer 46

Indicates a quick break, or for a wind instrument or voice, a breath.

Question 47

Caesura

Answer 47

Also known as great pause which indicates a full stop and pause before the music continues.