Art & music · Grades 9–12

Reading dynamics and tempo markings · Revision sheet

Reference sheet for Grades 9 to 12: 4 key ideas, including dynamics, changing dynamics and tempo. Italian terms that tell performers how loudly and how fast to play.

Printable summary of the study guide Reading dynamics and tempo markings.

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Dynamics

pp (pianissimo, very soft), p (piano, soft), mp (mezzo-piano), mf (mezzo-forte), f (forte, loud), ff (fortissimo, very loud).

Changing dynamics

Crescendo means gradually louder; decrescendo or diminuendo means gradually softer.

Tempo

Largo (very slow), adagio (slow), andante (walking pace), moderato (moderate), allegro (fast), presto (very fast).

Changing tempo

Ritardando means gradually slower; accelerando means gradually faster.

Explain without looking

Order these dynamics from softest to loudest: mf, pp, f, p, ff, mp.
A passage is marked allegro with a crescendo to ff. Describe how it should sound.

Check yourself

Four practice questions on this topic. Try each one before you open the answer.

What is the interval from A up to F?
- perfect fifth
- diminished fifth
- major sixth
- minor sixth
Show the answer
minor sixth 6 letter names and 8 semitones: minor sixth.
What is the interval from A up to C?
- major third
- major seventh
- minor third
- minor sixth
Show the answer
minor third 3 letter names and 3 semitones: minor third.
What is the interval from A up to G?
- minor seventh
- major seventh
- minor third
- major sixth
Show the answer
minor seventh 7 letter names and 10 semitones: minor seventh.
What is the interval from C up to E?
- minor third
- minor seventh
- major third
- major sixth
Show the answer
major third 3 letter names and 4 semitones: major third.