Adding dynamics

This piece includes a number of different dynamics, including ones such as , which are known as “immediate dynamics” in Dorico, and crescendo/diminuendo hairpins, which we collectively name “gradual dynamics”. Like slurs, you can add dynamics to existing music as well as inputting them during note input.

You can also input a slur during this task by starting the slur after step 13 and ending it between inputting the two Fs in step 17.

Procedure

  1. In bar 1, select the quarter note rest on the treble clef.
  2. Press Shift-D to open the dynamics popover.
  3. Enter mp into the popover.

    Dynamics popover above the top staff with the entry for 

  4. Press Return to close the popover and input the dynamic.

     dynamic input below the top staff at the start of the piece

  5. In bar 5, click the eighth note G on the top staff.
  6. Press < (that is, Shift-,) to input a crescendo hairpin that spans the selected note, that is, an eighth note in duration.

    • Dorico uses the < and > characters for crescendo and diminuendo hairpins respectively due to their similar appearance.

    Crescendo an eighth note in duration input below the top staff

    • This hairpin should actually be longer, so you need to lengthen it.

  7. Press Shift-Alt/Opt-Right Arrow to lengthen the hairpin up to beat 2 in bar 6.

    • The number of presses required depends on your rhythmic grid resolution Rhythmic grid selector in the status bar.

    Crescendo lengthened

    Tip

    • You can also shorten hairpins by pressing Shift-Alt/Opt-Left Arrow. These key commands apply to notes too, as well as all notations with duration, such as pedal lines, slurs, and gradual tempo changes.

    • If you select a range of notes and then input a gradual dynamic, it spans the selection automatically.

    • Now you can try inputting notes and dynamics at the same time.

  8. In bar 21, select the bar rest on the top staff.
  9. Press Shift-N to start note input.
  10. If chord input is active, press Q to stop chord input.
  11. Press 5 to select eighth notes (quavers).
  12. Press Space to advance the caret one eighth note, then press F to input an F.

    • If you have not already input the phrase in bars 19-20, the F might be input in the wrong octave. You can either press Ctrl-Alt-F (Windows) or Ctrl-F (macOS) to specify the lower octave before you input it, or press Ctrl/Cmd-Alt/Opt-Down Arrow to transpose it down an octave after inputting it.

  13. Press < (that is, Shift-,) to start a crescendo hairpin.

    • The hairpin is not visible yet, as it has no duration until you have advanced the caret. It will appear and extend as you input notes.

  14. Press G, A, B, C, D, then E to input the corresponding pitches.

    • The hairpin extends as you input notes. Hairpins also extend when you press Space to advance the caret.

      Hairpin extends alongside inputting notes

  15. Press ? (that is, Shift-/) to stop the hairpin.
  16. Press 6 to select quarter notes (crotchets).
  17. Press F twice to input two quarter note Fs.
  18. Press Esc or Return to stop note input.

Result

You have added immediate and gradual dynamics to existing notes, and input gradual dynamics alongside inputting notes.

Tip

You can also add dynamics using the Dynamics panel on the right of the window, which you can show by clicking Dynamics Dynamics button in the Notations toolbox in the Notations toolbox.