PPP084: The Power of Dynamics

19Mar 2018 by Shelly Davis

The Power of Dynamics

In addition to all the other concepts your piano kid learns when they study piano – Piano Geography, Understanding the Grand Staff, and Rhythm Patterns – they must also learn how loudly and how quietly to play each note.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, dynamics is “a variation and contrast in force or intensity.” In musical terms, teachers use the word dynamics to refer to the rise and fall of volume in a piece of music. Dynamics are what gives the music its expression and emotion.

Listen to the full episode here

The first dynamic symbols your piano kid will learn

In the first few months of piano study, your piano kid will most likely learn about forte and piano.

Forte is the Italian word which means strong. When there is an f marked in the music (located between the two staves), musicians are to play with much intensity. They should use the full weight of their arm to help the hammer make solid contact with the piano string inside the instrument.

Piano is the Italian word which means soft. When a composer intends for the music to be played gently and quietly, he or she will indicate this by placing a p between the staves.

Often these symbols are lost in all the other musical details your piano kid is observing

To help my students relate to the various dynamic marks, I compare them to a typical day at their school. The photos below describe the most common suggestions from my piano students.

A lot of the time, students think they are playing at a different volume but the contrast in sound is not that much difference to the listener. These suggestions and encouragement will help your piano kid have a larger contrast and a bigger difference when they play loud sounds versus quiet sounds. There is a big difference in sound between being in the library at school and being on the playground. Students readily understand this and can apply it to their music.

Many thanks to the newest subscribers to the Piano Parent Podcast website. Welcome, Laura, Karen, and Cheryl. I hope this podcast will be a valuable resource as you work with your piano kid, whether they are your own children or your piano students.

Thank you, Mark, for your kind review on iTunes, “My two youngest play the piano. I’m looking forward to applying the tips on here to be a better piano parent.”

A huge shout out goes to my beautiful friend, Stephanie, who listens to the podcast when she goes on her morning run. Thanks for listening, friend.

Finally, I posted a Facebook live video while I was at the park recording this episode. Congratulations and kudos to the Garcia family for helping their daughter prepare and succeed in the UT Tyler Piano Skills Festival and for attending the Honor Recital as a family with lovely, well-behaved children.