| Without variety, music would be quite bland. Music | | | | Piano e forte was shortened to pianoforte - |
| dynamics are the signs and symbols which indicate | | | | translating as quiet-loud. Then over the years it |
| how loudly to play music. This turns music from | | | | was shortened to piano. Hence p = quiet, f = loud. |
| black and white into colour! | | | | If the composer wants to really test your |
| The 2 most common dynamics are quiet and loud. | | | | performing skills, a wide variety of dynamic |
| The 2 letters used to indicate this are "p" and "f":p | | | | markings will be scattered through the piano sheet |
| means play quietf means play loud. | | | | music.pp = pianissimo = very quietp = piano = |
| Why are p and f used? Why not "q" for quiet and | | | | quietmp = mezzo piano = quite quietmf = mezzo |
| "l" for loud? | | | | forte = quite loudf = forte = loudff = fortissimo = |
| These letters were used after the invention of | | | | very loud |
| the piano in 1700 in Italy. The piano was originally | | | | To shift from playing p to f, or from mp to ff is |
| called the "piano e forte". These Italian words | | | | like turning a light switch on or off - it is sudden. |
| translate as "quiet and loud" - "piano e forte". | | | | If the composer wants the dynamic change to be |
| Before the piano e forte there was the | | | | gradual, 2 different Italian words are |
| harpsichord. This was a plucked instrument. All the | | | | used:crescendo means gradually get |
| notes sounded the same volume. The piano e | | | | louderdiminuendo means gradually get quieter. |
| forte was designed to give the performer a full | | | | This is like turning a dimmer switch up or down on |
| dynamic range of sound. | | | | your lighting! |