What does decrescendo indicate?

Study for the Certificate of Merit (CM) Piano Theory Level 9 Exam with comprehensive materials. Explore flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and get ready to ace your test with our detailed explanations and hints.

Multiple Choice

What does decrescendo indicate?

Explanation:
Decrescendo means to become gradually softer as you move through the notes. It indicates a gentle decrease in volume over the marked span, shaping the phrase with fading dynamics rather than keeping a constant loudness. It’s the opposite of crescendo, which means to get louder. It’s not about articulation or a sudden jump in volume—those would be marked differently, such as staccato for detached notes or a sudden dynamic like subito fortissimo.

Decrescendo means to become gradually softer as you move through the notes. It indicates a gentle decrease in volume over the marked span, shaping the phrase with fading dynamics rather than keeping a constant loudness. It’s the opposite of crescendo, which means to get louder. It’s not about articulation or a sudden jump in volume—those would be marked differently, such as staccato for detached notes or a sudden dynamic like subito fortissimo.

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