1. Unit 5: Dynamic Signs and Tempo Marks
Music Theory 1
Unit 5: Dynamic Signs and Tempo Marks

2. Dynamic Signs Imagine music that has no contrast
What would that sound like?
It would probably be like staring at a painting like this:
OR THIS………..

3. Dynamic Signs

4. Dynamic Signs
These paintings are nice and probably required a lot of work yet something is missing……
The missing element is CONTRAST!
Contrast adds variety and grabs the listener’s attention!

5. Dynamic Signs
One of the ways composers add variety to their music is through the use of Dynamics.
Dynamics refer to how loud or soft music is sung or played and also deals with the level of intensity by which it is played.
The terms used are mostly in Italian because it was Italian composers who first started using terms to describe dynamics in their music.

6. Dynamics Signs Quick Italian Lesson!! Piano= Soft Forte= Loud
Mezzo= Moderately issimo= Very
Here are some of the most common dynamic signs:

7. Dynamic Signs

8. Dynamic Signs
The two main symbols to indicate gradual changes in dynamics are:
CRESCENDO
&
DECRECENDO

9. Tempo Marks
Another way composers add contrast to music is by changing the tempo!!
Tempo is an Italian word meaning “rate of speed”
Tempo marks tell us how fast or slow the music should be played and like dynamics are also written in Italian.

10. Tempo Marks

11. Tempo Marks Here is a famous example of Largo
‪Antonín Dvořák - New World Symphony Op Largo‬
Here is moderato
‪Moderato op.35 Nr. 17 (Fernando Sor) - Classical Guitar‬

12. Tempo Marks Here is Allegro/ Vivace
‪Shostakovich Festive Overture Op 96‬

13. Tempo Marks

14. Tempo Marks Here is an example of Ritardando
Here is an example of Accelerando

15. Articulation
Another way that composers add contrast or variety to music is through the use of ARTICULATION!!!
Articulation refers to the manner in which a note is performed
Without this aspect music would sound a bit monotone and way too mushy and blended together.
Think of articulation like the diction needed for song lyrics.
The following are some of the basic forms of articulation

16. Articulation

17. Articulation

18. D.C., D.S., Coda and Fine