|
1.
Introduction |
3.
Loudness and Dynamics Sounds constantly change in their loudness levels. Our whole world is one sonic landscape in which sounds recede and move closer. Our survival depends on our ability to detect sound movement. A very loud record player or someone speaking inaudibly on the telephone is an example of how the loudness of a sound can vary. The eardrum detects loudness by the power of the intensity of vibrations from a sound source. It is not a matter that the further a sound, the softer. A car alarm one hundred yards away can be louder than an alarm clock on your desk. This is because of the power level of the alarm's sound waves. Loudness in music is referred to by the term Dynamics. Dynamics are expressed using three Italian terms: piano (soft) forte (loud) mezzo (half). In music the following scale of dynamic indications is used. The indications range from very soft to very loud and can written out in the following progression (scale): ppp : piano pianissimo - as soft as possible pp : pianissimo - very soft p : piano - soft mp : mezzopiano - a little louder than soft mf : mezzoforte - a little softer than loud f : forte - loud ff : fortissimo - very loud fff : forte fortissimo - extremely loud We could graphically represent the scale as the following: ppp -- pp -- p -- mp -- mf -- f -- ff -- fff The different dynamic markings allow a sense of 'distance' to enter the music enabling a listening 'focus' to be created. In reality, the soft sound is really no further away than the loud sound. We experience the intensity of vibrations of the sound's loudness against our ear drums. A loud accent will feel as if it is close whereas a soft one will give us a sense of distance. This is why the term dynamic is used referring to movement against the eardrum. You can experience this if you listen with your eyes closed to someone exploring different dynamic indications on a table surface. |