Making MusicA Review of dynamics

and other musical expressions and markings.

Ms. Pair

Essential Questions What are dynamics?

What is tempo? What is phrasing? What are some musical terms

used to describe dynamics, tempo, and phrasing?

Dynamics…Dynamics are musical markings that let a musician know how loud or how soft to play or sing.

Term: Symbol: Effect:Pianissimo pp Very Soft

Piano p Soft

Mezzo piano mp Medium Soft

Mezzo forte mf Medium Loud

Forte f Loud

Fortissimo ff Very Loud

Crescendo Gradually Become Louder

Decrescendo Gradually Become softer

Dynamics…

Dynamics Practice…Now let’s practice

dynamics. We will clap each example in multiple dynamics. We will start with pp and work our way to ff!

Tempo…Tempo is the speed or pace of a piece of music. When learning a new piece, tempo is often kept with a metronome.

Common Tempo Markings…Term: Meaning:

Lento Slowly

Adagio Slow and stately

Moderato Moderately

Accelerando Gradually accelerating

Allegro Fast, quickly and bright

Vivace Lively and fast

Presto Extremely fast

Meno Mosso Less movement, slower

Ritardando Slowing down gradually

Rubato Free

A Tempo Return to the original tempo

Colla Voce With the voice, follow the voice (usually used for accompaniment following a solo voice)

Phrasing…Phrasing is how a piece of music is interpreted. It is the expressive shaping of music. Phrasing can be indicated by markings in the music or by the conductor. Phrasing can include expressive markings, breath marks, pauses, changes in dynamics, and changes in tempo.

Common Words Used When Talking About Phrasing…

Term: Meaning:Legato “Tied together,” musical notes that are

played or sung without breathing or disconnecting the sound

Staccato “Detached,” this symbol shortens the length of a note

Slur A symbol that links notes of different pitches together

Tie A symbol that links notes of the same pitch together

Accent Emphasis on a note, word, or phrase

Crescendo Gradually increase in volume

Decrescendo Gradually decrease in volume

Accelerando Gradually increase in tempo

Ritardando Gradually decrease in tempo

Phrasing Continued…How to Play Like an Artist: An

Introduction to Phrasinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLxJVSeCCLI

Phrasing Practice…Now let’s practice

phrasing. We will sight read the examples working with different phrasings like legato or staccato or by taking our breaths in different places.

On Your Own…For homework, you will each be given one page of music. Circle dynamics, tempo markings, and other musical symbols and vocabulary and define them. What is that p? What does Presto mean? What are those hairpin symbols? See if you can do it without my help!