
Very rarely will a performer be instructed to play a
piece entirely at one dynamic level. By concatenating forte or piano markings,
a composer imparts the level of loudness or softness. The marking ff (“fortissimo”) is louder than f, and
pp (“pianissimo”) is softer than p. Continuing
to link together the marking indicates more intense levels – fff is louder than ff, which is louder than f;
ppp is quieter than pp, which is quieter than p. In the middle are mf, or mezzo-forte, and mp, or mezzo-piano, which indicate a moderate
level of loudness and softness, respectively.
Other instructions let the performer know whether to
employ a dynamic marking suddenly or gradually. “Crescendo” instructs the
performer to gradually increase the volume, and “diminuendo” means gradually
become softer. “Sforzando,” abbreviated sfz,
tells the performer to accent a note or play a note louder. The fortepiano
indication, fp, means play loudly
initially, then immediately play softly.
Dynamics are very important and help provide color and
interest to music. A passage ordinarily played quietly can impart a very
different experience to an audience if played loudly and forcefully. It is
crucial to understand dynamics to properly interpret the intentions of a
composer, but it can also help a performer develop their own unique approach to
interpretation when dynamics are not provided.