crescendo in music meaning | TheMusicDictionary

A directive to a performer to smoothly increase the volume of a particular phrase or passage. This can be designated with the word crescendo at the beginning of the passage or with the crescendo symbol consisting of two horizontal lines that start together at a point at the left and spread apart to the right. There is typically a dynamic mark at either end of the symbol indicating the desired volume before and after the crescendo. This is often seen in its abbreviated form cresc. The symbol is often refered to as a hairpin or a wedge.

Popular questions related to crescendo

A crescendo is a way for composers to indicate that a passage of music should gradually increase in loudness over time (opposite of a decrease in volume, which is described as a decrescendo). It is also used in non-musical contexts to describe any situation in which volume is increasing.

a gradual increase in loudness, or the moment when a noise or piece of music is at its loudest: The music reached a crescendo. an increase in excitement, danger, or action: There has been a rising crescendo of violence in the region.

The crescendo of noise was continuous. The applause rose to a crescendo and cameras clicked. There was a crescendo of parliamentary and press criticism. And now the story reaches a crescendo.

There is a special word for when musicians need to get louder, or gradually increase their volume – that's called a crescendo (creh-SHEN-do.) Try saying that word a few times.” (Pause to let students practice.)

Cresc., or crescendo, means getting gradually louder than it has been. It starts where your 2 is.

The term "crescendo" comes from the Italian word "crescere," which means "to grow" or "to increase." In music, a crescendo is a gradual increase in volume or intensity. It helps create dynamic variation and emotional tension in a piece, making it more engaging and expressive.

In a crescendo, the music is getting louder. There's often a crescendo in a large group of talking people, too. This word comes from classical music, where it's very important how loudly the instruments play.

increasing loudness Changes in dynamic levels are indicated as follows: cresc. crescendo (increasing loudness) decresc. decrescendo (decreasing loudness)

However, dynamics are not the same as tempo markings. Some dynamics, like crescendo, indicate when a section of music should be getting louder. Other dynamics, like diminuendo, indicate when a section should be getting quieter.

A crescendo is used for gradually getting louder, and a decrescendo or diminuendo is used for gradually getting softer. These may be indicated with the terms themselves, by abbreviations (cresc., decresc., dim.), or graphically.

Crescendos are so important because they are defining moments that bring the audience's energy to its highest point. Without them, your audience can easily be deflated.