Lesson 9: Dynamics and Expression
- Change volume gently while keeping the pitch steady.
- Make one phrase gently louder, then softer.
Keep the pitch steady as the volume changes.
Dynamics means how loud or soft music sounds. Changing the air also changes pitch, so use small changes and listen for notes going sharp or flat.
Three volumes
- p · piano · soft
- Use a little less air; stop reducing it if the note goes flat or fades.
- mf · mezzo-forte · comfortable
- Your default.
- f · forte · loud
- Use a little more air; stop increasing it if the pitch rises or the note squeaks.
Start with small changes.
Play each note at your usual volume first, then try soft, medium and louder; breathe between notes.
Play level, then swell towards the middle, then reverse the shape.
Play: Amazing Grace, with shape
Play evenly first, then grow toward high notes and soften at phrase ends.
William Walker, The Southern Harmony (1847), p. 8; tenor down P4, repeats omitted, second ending retained; public domain.
Now play these
- Amazing Grace
- The same historical verse; shape each line.
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
- Play its middle four bars softer.
- Lightly Row
- Shape all four complete phrases.
When your recording has clear phrase shapes and steady tuning, continue to Lesson 10.