The Louds
The Softs
The in-betweens
Funky Signs
Stuff Only Advanced Musicians Know...
100

"Very loud" is the English word for this dynamic marking. The Italian word sounds much more sophisticated.

What is FORTISSIMO?

100
This dynamic marking, meaning soft, has two different meanings in Itialian

What is PIANO? 

Piano for soft & piano for the instrument.
100

This is the symbol for medium loud. 

What is MF?

100

This looks like an accent but on a much larger scale. It means to gradually get softer.

What is a DECRESCENDO? 

100

This is the order of dynamics from loudest to softest. 

What is FF - F - MF - MP - P - PP

200

"It's just not my forte" is a phrase in English meaning, "It's not my thing." But in music it means this. 

What is LOUD?

200

"Very loud" is the English word for this dynamic marking. The Italian word sounds much more sophisticated.

What is PIANISSIMO?

200

This is the symbol for medium soft. 

What is MP?

200

This looks like a less than sign in math, but on a much larger scale. It means to gradually get louder.

What is a CRESCENDO? 

200

This is what it sound like when you step on a lego. Like an accent on steroids! 

What is a SFORZANDO? sfz OR sf.

300

This is how you spell the dynamic marking meaning loud.

What is F - O - R - T - E? 

300

This is how you spell the dynamic marking meaning soft.

What is P - I - A - N - O?

300

"Medium loud" is the English word for this dynamic marking. The Italian words sound much more sophisticated.

What is MEZZO FORTE? 

300
This is the synonym for decrescendo. 

What is DIMINUENDO? 

300

This means to play loud the first time and play soft the second time. 

What is F-P?

400

This is how you spell the dynamic marking meaning very loud. 

What is F - O - R - T - I - S - S - I - M - O?

400

This is how you spell the dynamic marking meaning very soft.

What is P - I - A - N - I - S - S - I - M - O?

400

"Medium soft" is the English word for this dynamic marking. The Italian words sound much more sophisticated.

What is MEZZO PAINO? 

400

One would see this abbreviation in music for diminuendo. 

What is DIM.?
400

"HELP! I'm dying. I'm dying away..."

What is MORENDO?

500

In Italian, this is how one should spell the word with the mp symbol.

What is M-E-Z-Z-O P-I-A-N-O?

500

This is the abbreviation for crescendo. 

What is C - R - E - S - C.?

600

In Italian, this is how one should spell the word with the mf symbol.

What is M-E-Z-Z-O F-O-R-T-E?

600

This is the abbreviation for decrescendo. 

What is D - E - C - R - E - S - C.?