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Dynamics & tone
Core dynamics and tone colour terminology for Music 1 students
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| pianissimo | (pp) very soft |
| piano | (p) soft |
| mezzo piano | (mp) moderately soft |
| mezzo forte | (mf) moderately loud |
| forte | (f) loud |
| fortissimo | (ff) very loud |
| subito piano | (sub. p) suddenly soft |
| sforzando | (sfz) sudden emphasis, loud accent of one note |
| ensemble | a group of performers eg. choir, orchestra, rock band, string quartet, big band, jazz ensemble etc |
| consort | an instrumental ensemble of the 16th/17th centuries, consisting of same or variety of same instruments eg. recorder consort |
| membranophone | instruments that use the vibration of a skin to generate sound eg. bongos, djembe, snare drum, timpani |
| idiophone | instruments that use the vibration of their body to generate sound eg. triangle, claves, xylophone, chimes |
| cordophone | instruments that use the vibration of strings to generate sound eg. violin, piano, harpsichord, koto, shamisen, banjo |
| aerophone | instruments that use the vibration of air to generate sound eg. pipe organ, harmonica, bagpipes, shakuhachi, clarinet |
| electrophone | instruments that use the vibration of electricity to generate sound eg. theremin, bass guitar, synthesiser |