Table of Contents
Notation reference
Dynamics
Dynamics indicate the loudness of the music, and can be combined with other instructions to give the performer a detailed understanding of how to perform the music, while also leaving room for interpretation.
Gradual dynamics
Gradual dynamics indicate a change in volume that happens incrementally over the specified duration. They usually appear either as hairpins or as text instructions, such as cresc. or dim..
Gradual dynamic spacing
Dorico Elements ensures that hairpins can always be clearly distinguished by giving hairpins a minimum default length. However, this can affect note spacing.
Gradual dynamics that start/end partway through notes
If the start/end of a gradual dynamic is not attached to a note, there are restrictions on how you can move the start/end position.

Gradual dynamics that start/end partway through notes

If the start/end of a gradual dynamic is not attached to a note, there are restrictions on how you can move the start/end position.

For example, if you enter two hairpins separated by a space into the dynamics popover, pair of hairpins that looks like a messa di voce is created but containing two separate hairpins, rather than the combined option. Neither of the open ends of the hairpins is attached to a specific notehead, and you cannot move the center of the pair of hairpins rhythmically. You can lengthen/shorten the two hairpins as a group but you cannot lengthen/shorten each hairpin individually.

However, if you enter two hairpins without a space between them into the dynamics popover, you can move the center of the pair of hairpins and each hairpin rhythmically, but only to noteheads. You can lengthen/shorten each hairpin separately according to the current rhythmic grid resolution.