Explain what the dynamic markings are doing from start to finish AND from what musical era this was popular.
Dynamic markings in music refer to instructions given to performers about the desired volume and intensity of the music being played. These markings guide musicians in creating a variety of expressive effects and conveying emotions through sound. They range from very soft to very loud and are indicated by specific Italian terms or symbols.
In classical music, dynamic markings became an essential part of musical notation during the Baroque era (1600-1750) but gained even more significance in the subsequent Romantic era (1800-1910) where composers sought greater emotional expression in their works.
At the very start of a piece, the dynamic marking is typically indicated at the beginning of the staff, above or below the musical notation. Most commonly, the piece starts with a dynamic marking of piano (p) or mezzo-piano (mp), indicating a soft or moderately soft start.
During the course of the piece, various dynamic markings are used to create contrast, add drama, and shape the musical phrases. Crescendo (cresc.) instructs the performers to gradually increase the volume, and decrescendo or diminuendo (decresc. or dim.) means gradually getting softer. These markings may come with specific instructions such as the length of the crescendo or decrescendo, or they may be left to the performer's interpretation.
During more intense or climactic sections, dynamic markings such as forte (f), fortissimo (ff), or even fortississimo (fff) indicate progressively louder volumes. These markings drive the energy and power of the music, creating tension and excitement.
On the contrary, softer and more delicate sections are marked as pianissimo (pp), mezzo-piano (mp), or pianississimo (ppp), indicating very soft or extremely soft playing. These softer dynamics evoke a sense of intimacy, subtlety, or introspection.
The final dynamic marking towards the end of a piece might indicate a specific desired effect, such as a sudden increase in volume (sforzando or sfz) emphasizing a particular note or phrase, or a calming gradual decrease in volume with a diminuendo.
While dynamic markings have been used to some extent in music of all eras, the Romantic period saw these markings become more detailed and prominently featured, allowing composers to communicate their desired expressive intentions more precisely. Therefore, dynamic markings became especially popular during the Romantic era and have remained fundamental in Western classical music ever since.