Dynamics

    Dynamics are symbols indicating the relative loudness or softness of a note or phrase of music. They can be found in the Dynamics palette.

    Dynamics palette

    There are two types of dynamics: standard ones, such as p and ff etc., which apply to the score from the point where the dynamic appears; and single-note dynamics, such as sfz, which apply only to the note to which the dynamic is attached

    Dynamics can be edited just like other text objects. They also have a playback effect on the score.

    Adding dynamics to your score

    Dynamics palette

    To apply a dynamic to the score, use one of the following methods:

    • Select one or more notes and click a dynamic symbol in a palette.
    • Drag a dynamic symbol from a palette onto a note.

    Custom dynamics

    If the dynamic you want is not available in the palette, you can customize an existing one in the score. Since a dynamic is a form of text, you can edit it as such.

    1. Enter edit mode.
    2. Edit the text just as you would in a word processor.

    Dynamic indications such as p, mf, f etc., are actually special characters and need to be entered from the special characters box. Alternatively you can use shortcuts from the following table:

    Dynamic Windows & Linux Shortcut Mac Shortcut
    Piano p Ctrl+Shift+P Cmd+Shift+P
    Forte f Ctrl+Shift+F Cmd+Shift+F
    Mezzo m Ctrl+Shift+M Cmd+Shift+M
    Rinforzando r Ctrl+Shift+R Cmd+Shift+R
    Sforzando s Ctrl+Shift+S Cmd+Shift+S
    Niente n Ctrl+Shift+N Cmd+Shift+N
    Z z Ctrl+Shift+Z Cmd+Shift+Z

    Changing playback of dynamics

    [To be added]

    Dynamics properties

    [To be added]

    Dynamics style

    The default positioning of all dynamics in the score can be adjusted from FormatStyleDynamics.

    Dynamics style settings