Making Music A Review of dynamics and other musical expressions and markings. Ms. Pair

Essential Questions  What are dynamics?  What is tempo?  What is phrasing?  What are some musical terms used to describe dynamics, tempo, and phrasing?

Dynamics… Dynamics are musical markings that let a musician know how loud or how soft to play or sing.

Term:Symbol:Effect: Pianissimo pp Very Soft Piano p Soft Mezzo piano mp Medium Soft Mezzo forte mf Medium Loud Forte f Loud Fortissimo ff Very Loud CrescendoGradually Become Louder DecrescendoGradually Become softer Dynamics…

Dynamics Practice… Now let’s practice dynamics. We will clap each example in multiple dynamics. We will start with pp and work our way to ff!

Tempo… Tempo is the speed or pace of a piece of music. When learning a new piece, tempo is often kept with a metronome.

Common Tempo Markings… Term:Meaning: LentoSlowly AdagioSlow and stately ModeratoModerately AccelerandoGradually accelerating AllegroFast, quickly and bright VivaceLively and fast PrestoExtremely fast Meno MossoLess movement, slower RitardandoSlowing down gradually RubatoFree A TempoReturn to the original tempo Colla VoceWith the voice, follow the voice (usually used for accompaniment following a solo voice)

Phrasing… Phrasing is how a piece of music is interpreted. It is the expressive shaping of music. Phrasing can be indicated by markings in the music or by the conductor. Phrasing can include expressive markings, breath marks, pauses, changes in dynamics, and changes in tempo.

Common Words Used When Talking About Phrasing… Term:Meaning: Legato“Tied together,” musical notes that are played or sung without breathing or disconnecting the sound Staccato“Detached,” this symbol shortens the length of a note SlurA symbol that links notes of different pitches together TieA symbol that links notes of the same pitch together AccentEmphasis on a note, word, or phrase CrescendoGradually increase in volume DecrescendoGradually decrease in volume AccelerandoGradually increase in tempo RitardandoGradually decrease in tempo

Phrasing Continued… How to Play Like an Artist: An Introduction to Phrasing CCLI

Phrasing Practice… Now let’s practice phrasing. We will sight read the examples working with different phrasings like legato or staccato or by taking our breaths in different places.

On Your Own… For homework, you will each be given one page of music. Circle dynamics, tempo markings, and other musical symbols and vocabulary and define them. What is that p? What does Presto mean? What are those hairpin symbols? See if you can do it without my help!