Lessons · Unit 13: Expression
Dynamics
Dynamics are written under the staff in italics and hold from where they appear until the next one. They are Italian abbreviations: p for piano (soft) and f for forte (loud).
- pp — pianissimo, very soft
- p — piano, soft
- mp — mezzo piano, fairly soft
- mf — mezzo forte, fairly loud
- f — forte, loud
- ff — fortissimo, very loud
The m of mezzo means "half" and always softens what follows: mf is less than f, and mp is less soft than p.
Drill
The session goes on until every skill below is mastered: at least 10 answers, at most 40. Your progress carries over between sessions.
Master the previous lesson first: A longer passage at tempo