Dynamics And Articulations printable pdf download

music theory for musicians and normal people by toby w. rush

Dynamics and Articulations

music is made up of

a lot more than pitch

F P

π ∏ ñ

and rhythm!

specific

notated music

interpretation

uses italian terms

to show relative

is left to the

performer!

volume.

gradual dynamic changes are

indicated with hairpin symbols or the

italian terms crescendo (increase volume)

cresc.

dim.

or diminuendo (descrease volume).

dynamics are usually placed below the staff on instrumental parts,

and above the staff for vocal parts... to stay out of the way of the lyrics!

articulations

other symbols affect

are symbols that

groups of notes...

show how to treat

specific notes.

all’ ottava: play the notes an octave higher

with additional

accent

or lower, depending on where the symbol is.

emphasis

(two octaves is

, and three octaves is

short and

staccato

detatched

emphasized and

tenuto

pedaling: On the piano, this symbol indicates

held for full value

when the damper pedal should be held down,

allowing the piano strings to ring freely.

short and

marcato

for down and

for up.

older scores use

accented

very short and

sfz

staccatissimo

forceful

suddenly loud

sforzando

and accented

and then

a simple shape

there’s

with a bunch of

hold longer

fermata

this thing...

different uses!

than indicated

in most music

rapidly alternate

tremolo

≤

it’s a slur,

for bowed strings

between two notes

grouping notes

like violin, it’s a

which should be

bow marking,

(bowed instruments)

up bow

played smoothly

showing notes

≥

start at tip of bow

and connected!

that should be

played without switching

the bow’s direction.

(bowed instruments)

down bow

in vocal parts,

start at frog of bow

it shows melismas:

in any score, it can also

groups of notes

rapidly alternate

trill

be used on larger groups

sung on a single

two adjacent notes

of notes, where it serves as

syllable!

a phrase marking... helping

the performer see the overall

“roll” chord: notes

arpeggio

shape of the music!

added separately

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Dynamics And Articulations

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