Hobbies Playing Music How to Read Dynamic Signs in Sheet Music The Meaning Behind the Music Notations and Symbols Share PINTEREST Email Print Hill Street Studios/Getty Images Playing Music Music Education Music Lessons Basics Music History Music Theory Playing Guitar Playing Piano Home Recording By Espie Estrella Espie Estrella is a lyricist, songwriter, and member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. our editorial process Espie Estrella Updated November 04, 2019 Dynamic signs are musical notations used to signify what volume the note or phrase should be performed at. Not only do dynamic signs dictate the volume (loudness or softness), but also the change in volume over time (gradually louder or gradually softer). For instance, the volume could change slowly or abruptly, and at different rates. Instrumentals Dynamic signs can be found on music sheets for any instruments. Instruments as different as the cello, piano, french horn and xylophone can all play notes at different volumes and thus be subject to dynamic signs. Who Invented Dynamic Signs? There is no record confirming who the first composer to use or invent dynamic signs was, but Giovanni Gabrieli was one of the early users of the musical notations. Gabrieli was a Venetian composer during the Renaissance and the early stages of the Baroque era. During the Romantic period, composers started using dynamic signs more and increased its variety. Table of Dynamic Signs The table below lists the commonly used dynamic signs. Dynamic Signs Sign In Italian Definition pp pianissimo very soft p piano soft mp mezzo piano moderately soft mf mezzo forte moderately loud f forte loud ff fortissimo very loud > decrescendo gradually softer < crescendo gradually louder rf rinforzando sudden increase in loudness sfz sforzando play the note with sudden emphasis