Dynamics, cont.

An important consideration in the use of dynamics is balance. Often in music when you have a group of voices or instruments playing, some parts need to be heard louder then others. The most common application of this idea is that you always want to hear the melody of song no matter how many instruments may be accompanying the melody.

It is also possible for the dynamic level to get louder or softer over time. For example if you wanted to imitate a drum marching closer and closer you could gradually increase the volume level to make it seem like the distance was getting smaller and smaller. Some songs die away at the end for a fade out. The gradual increase in volume is called a crescendo while a gradual decrease in volume is called a decrescendo. Study the examples below and listen to the audio files to learn about crescendo and decrescendo.

Follow along with the passage below as you listen to this example of a crescendo.

Follow along with the passage below as you listen to this example of a decrescendo.