CHOIR DYNAMICS

Dynamics from Softest to the Loudest:

DYNAMICS DESCRIPTION
Pianississimo (ppp) The softest dynamic level, barely audible.
Pianissimo (pp) Very soft, whisper-like.
Piano (p) Soft and gentle.
Mezzo Piano (mp) Moderately soft.
Mezzo Forte (mf) Moderately loud.
Forte (f) Loud and strong.
Fortissimo (ff) Very loud.
The loudest dynamic level, emphasizing power and
Fortississimo (fff) intensity.

Dynamics that Combine Elements of Volume and Expression:

DYNAMICS DESCRIPTION
Piano-forte (pf) Soft, followed by an immediate increase in volume.
Forte-piano (fp) Loud, followed by an immediate decrease in volume.
A strong accent followed by an immediate decrease in
Sforzando-piano (sfp) volume.
A strong accent followed by an immediate increase in
Sforzando-forte (sff or sfzf) volume.

Dynamics that Convey Specific Nuances and Variations in Volume:

DYNAMICS DESCRIPTION
An extremely soft dynamic level, even softer
Pianissimoissimo (pppp) than pianississimo.
A sudden loud attack followed by an
Fortepiano (fp) immediate decrease in volume.
Moderately loud attack followed by an
Mezzo Fortepiano (mfp) immediate decrease in volume.
A sudden loud attack followed by an
Fortissimo-piano (ffp) immediate decrease to a soft volume.
Forte-fortissimo (ff-ff) Loud and then even louder.
A strong, sudden emphasis on a note or
Rinforzando (rfz) or Forzando (fz) phrase.
Niente (n) Gradually fading away to silence.
Gradually dying away, diminishing in
Morendo volume and intensity.
Crescendo-diminuendo (cresc.-dim.) Gradually getting louder and then softer.
Calando Gradually becoming softer and slower.
Dynamics that Convey Specific Emotions, Articulations, and Tonal
Qualities in a Choir Performance:
DYNAMICS DESCRIPTION
Starting extremely soft and gradually increasing to a soft
Pianissimo piano (ppp-p) volume.
Starting soft and gradually decreasing to an extremely
Piano pianissimo (pp-p) soft volume.
Starting loud and immediately decreasing to a soft
Forte piano (fp) volume.
Starting soft and immediately increasing to a loud
Piano forte (pf) volume.
Starting loud and immediately decreasing to an
Fortepianissimo (fpp) extremely soft volume.
Moderately loud, then immediately decreasing to a soft
Mezzo forte piano (mfp) volume.
Moderately soft, then immediately increasing to a loud
Mezzo piano forte (mpf) volume.
Singing in a subdued, hushed tone, often with a
Sotto voce whispered quality.
Dolce Sweetly and softly.
Expressively, with emphasis on shaping the phrases and
Espressivo musical nuances.
Marcato Strong, accented, and with a marked emphasis.
Smoothly connected, without any separation between
Legato the notes.
Short and detached, with distinct separation between
Staccato the notes.
Dynamics that Provide Further Options for Expressive and Nuanced
Performances:
DYNAMICS DESCRIPTION
Pianissimo legato (ppl) Very soft and smoothly connected.
Mezzo piano legato (mpl) Moderately soft and smoothly connected.
Mezzo forte legato (mfl) Moderately loud and smoothly connected.
Forte legato (fl) Loud and smoothly connected.
Fortissimo legato (ffl) Very loud and smoothly connected.
Remove mutes (if present) for a brighter and more
Senza sordino resonant sound.
Con sordino Use mutes for a muted, subdued sound.
An immediate, forceful accent followed by a sudden
Rinforzando subito (rfz sub.) decrease in volume.
Gradually diminishing in volume and intensity, similar to
Smorzando morendo.
Appassionato With passion and intense emotion.
With motion or movement, indicating a faster tempo
Con moto and energetic performance.
Flexible tempo, allowing for slight variations in speed to
Rubato express emotion and phrasing.
Without strictness or rigidity, allowing for more
Senza rigore expressive freedom.