Dynamic Marking
A symbol or abbreviation indicating the volume at which music should be played, from very soft to very loud.
Category
notation
Pronunciation
/daɪˈnæmɪk ˈmɑːkɪŋ/
Origin
Italian (various)
Length
174 words · 1 min read
About Dynamic Marking
Dynamic markings form a graduated scale from pianississimo (pppp, extremely soft) through piano (p, soft), mezzo-piano (mp, moderately soft), mezzo-forte (mf, moderately loud), forte (f, loud), to fortississimo (ffff, extremely loud). Crescendo (gradually louder) and diminuendo or decrescendo (gradually softer) are shown either as hairpin-shaped symbols or as abbreviated words.
More notation terms
Fermata
View all notationterms →A held note or rest; pause at the performer's discretion.
StaffThe set of five horizontal lines and four spaces on which musical notes are written.
OpusA numbering system for a composer's works, assigned roughly in order of publication
Articulation MarkingsSymbols placed above or below notes to indicate how they should be attacked, sustained, or released.
AccidentalA symbol placed before a note to raise or lower its pitch by a semitone or whole tone, overriding the key signature.
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →