Types of dynamics

Dorico for iPad categorizes dynamics into different groups according to their function.

Immediate dynamics

Immediate dynamics apply to the note to which they are attached until the next dynamic marking, and indicate an immediate change from any previous dynamic. Immediate dynamics include dynamic symbols, such as or , and dynamic modifiers, such as subito or molto.

Gradual dynamics and hairpins

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 dynamics can also have dynamic modifiers that qualify the change in volume, such as poco, molto, poco a poco, and niente.

In Dorico for iPad, a hairpin can be shown as messa di voce, which shows a pair of hairpins. In some cases, this is easier than having separate lines for each half of the pair.

Force/Intensity of attack

These dynamics, such as and , indicate that a note has a stronger attack than is usually expected for the dynamic, similar to an accent articulation.

Combined dynamics

Combined dynamics, such as or , specify a sudden change of dynamic.

You can create custom combined dynamics in Dorico for iPad, and control the intensity of each dynamic in the pair, in the Combined Dynamics section of the Dynamics panel. For example, you can make dynamics such as , , and .