When we talk about dynamics and articulation in Year 9 music, it's really important to know what each one means.

Dynamics are all about how loud or soft the music is. Here are some words you might hear:

• Piano (p): This means soft.
• Forte (f): This means loud.
• Crescendo: This is when the music gets louder little by little.
• Decrescendo: This is when the music gets softer little by little.

For example, if a song begins quietly and then becomes very powerful, that shows a change in dynamics!

Articulation is a bit different. It looks at how the notes are played or sung. Here are some key terms:

• Staccato: This means the notes are played short and separate.
• Legato: This means the notes are played smoothly and connected.
• Accents: This means making certain notes stand out more than others.

Imagine a staccato part in a cheerful song; it gives the music a fun, bouncy feeling. On the other hand, a legato section in a love song makes it sound smooth and flowing.

Both dynamics and articulation add special touches to music, even though they help express different feelings and styles!