Student musicians often read a dynamic marking (like “mp”) and associate it with one static volume level. I often tell them, from a composer’s perspective, a dynamic marking is intended to indicate the overall volume desired from the ensemble, not each individual. Just as there are several shades of the color “green,” there are several shades of volume within a marking.
Three main factors each performer must consider for their own volume are:
– Is my part the melody or accompaniment?
– Am I playing in the lower or upper register of my instrument?
– What is the size of my section in relation to the other instruments in my ensemble?
Once students learn to adjust their volume accordingly, the balance and sonority across the ensemble will improve!
Anthony Susi
Composer/Educator
