Definition

1. Adjective: Gradually decreasing in volume or loudness. This term is used to describe a musical passage where the sound becomes progressively softer.
2. Noun: (Music) A gradual decrease in loudness; a specific musical instruction or the passage of music itself where this effect is performed.
3. Verb: To grow quieter; to perform a passage of music with a gradual decrease in loudness.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:

  • The decrescendo passage created a feeling of calm. (The gradually softening passage created a feeling of calm.)
  • Look for the decrescendo marking on the score. (Look for the "gradually softer" marking on the score.)

• Noun:

  • The composer wrote a long decrescendo at the end of the movement. (The composer wrote a long gradual decrease in loudness at the end of the movement.)
  • A skillful decrescendo is essential for expressive playing. (A skillful gradual decrease in volume is essential for expressive playing.)

• Verb:

  • The orchestra must decrescendo over the next four bars. (The orchestra must grow quieter over the next four bars.)
  • The singer decrescendoed to a whisper. (The singer grew quieter to a whisper.)

Advanced Usage

• As a dynamic marking: In sheet music, "decrescendo" is often abbreviated as "decresc." or represented by a symbol (a tapered line). It instructs the performer to gradually reduce the volume.

  • The decresc. symbol starts at forte and ends at piano. (The "decrescendo" symbol starts at loud and ends at soft.)

• In contrast to "diminuendo": While often used interchangeably in common practice, some musicians make a subtle distinction, with "diminuendo" sometimes implying a decrease in both volume and intensity. However, in modern usage, both terms primarily indicate a decrease in loudness.

Variants and Related Words

• Diminuendo: (Adjective, Noun, Verb) A synonym meaning gradually softer. It is often abbreviated as "dim."
• Crescendo: (Adjective, Noun, Verb) The opposite effect; a gradual increase in loudness.
• Decrescent: (Adjective) A more general, non-musical term meaning becoming gradually less; waning.

Synonyms

• Diminuendo: (Music) Gradually decreasing in loudness.
• Fade out: To diminish gradually in visibility or audibility (common in audio engineering and broader contexts).

Antonyms

• Crescendo: A gradual increase in loudness.
• Forte: A dynamic marking meaning loud.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• (To) do a decrescendo: (Informal, music context) To perform a gradual decrease in volume.
  • The cello section needs to do a more controlled decrescendo here. (The cello section needs to perform a more controlled gradual softening here.)

Adjective

1. gradually decreasing in volume

Noun

1. (music) a gradual decrease in loudness

Verb

1. grow quieter
   • The music decrescendoes here