Understanding how to use dynamics and articulation to convey musical expression and emotion.
Dynamics: The level of volume in music, ranging from quiet to loud. Dynamics can change frequently throughout a piece of music.
Articulation: The way in which notes are played or sung, including the length of the notes, the way they are accented, and the way they are connected.
Staccato: Short, detached notes in which each note is played or sung with space between them.
Legato: Smooth, connected notes with no gaps between each note.
Tenuto: A note that is held for its full length, with emphasis on the note's length and continuity.
Accent: A note that is played or sung with emphasis, making it louder and more distinct than the surrounding notes.
Crescendo: A gradual increase in volume over a period of time.
Decrescendo: A gradual decrease in volume over a period of time.
Fortissimo: The loudest dynamic in music, denoted by two "ff" markings.
Pianissimo: The softest dynamic in music, denoted by two "p" markings.
Mezzo forte: A medium-loud dynamic, denoted by "mf" markings.
Sforzando: A single note or chord played suddenly and with emphasis.
Marcato: Emphasizing a note or chord with a strong accent and staccato articulation.
Fermata: A symbol that indicates a note or rest should be held longer than its written value.
Rubato: The ability to temporarily speed up or slow down the tempo of a piece of music for expressive purposes.
Dynamics markings: The symbols and markings used to indicate changes in dynamics throughout a piece of music, including crescendos, decrescendos, and more.
Articulation markings: The symbols and markings used to indicate the way in which notes should be played or sung, including staccatos, legatos, accents, and more.
Tempo markings: The symbols and markings used to indicate the tempo or speed of a piece of music, including metronome markings, Italian terms, and more.
Playing with expression: The ability to translate emotions and feelings into the performance of music, using dynamics and articulations to create a more expressive and emotional performance.
Using dynamics and articulations together: The importance of combining dynamics and articulations to create a unique and expressive performance.
Piano: Soft.
Mezzo Piano: Moderately soft.
Mezzo Forte: Moderately loud.
Forte: Loud.
Crescendo: Gradually getting louder.
Decrescendo: Gradually getting softer.
Sforzando: An abrupt, loud accent.
Fortissimo: Very loud.
Pianissimo: Very soft.
Diminuendo: Gradually getting softer.
Subito: Suddenly changing dynamics.
Legato: Smooth and connected.
Staccato: Short and detached.
Tenuto: A sustained note, held for its full value.
Accent: Emphasis on a particular note.
Marcato: Stressed, forcefully articulated notes.
Staccatissimo: Extremely short and detached.
Portato: A combination of legato and staccato, with slightly separated notes.
Slur: Connects two or more notes of different pitches.
Glissando: Sliding from one note to the next.
Tremolo: Rapid repetition of a single note or alternating between two notes.
Pizzicato: Plucked instead of bowed (for stringed instruments).
Trill: Rapid alternation between two adjacent notes.
Mordent: Rapid alternation between a note and its lower neighbor.
Turn: Rapid alternation between a note, its upper neighbor, and back to the original note.