General placement conventions for dynamics

Dynamics are placed below the staff for instruments, where they can be read alongside the notes, and above the staff for voices. This way, they do not clash with lyrics placed below the staff, and are still close enough to the notes to be read simultaneously.

Immediate dynamics, such as  or , are centered on the notehead to which they apply. The beginnings of gradual dynamics are centered on the notehead from which they begin, or immediately after an immediate dynamic at the same position. The ends of gradual dynamics are centered on the notehead at which they end, or immediately before an immediate dynamic at the same position.

In Dorico, dynamics are positioned automatically relative to noteheads. You can change project-wide settings for how dynamics appear on the Dynamics page in Engraving Options, and you can move individual dynamics graphically in Engrave mode.