6.

PERFORMANCE DIRECTIONS
BY VICTORIA WILLIAMS
www.mymusictheory.com

Date of publishing: 5th June 2015

Summary of the Lesson

• The given opening will include a tempo, starting dynamic and some elements of articulation,
such as slurs, staccato or accents.
• Make sure you copy the performance directions over as well as the notes, when you begin.
• Normally, all dynamics and other word directions are written below the stave.
• Symbols are written either above or below the notes, depending on the stem direction.
• Two exceptions are ornaments and bowing direction symbols, which always go above the
stave. However, you don't need to add these anyway.
• For articulation, look at how they have been used in the given opening, and use them in the
same way on similar sections of the rest of the piece.
• Dynamics need to be musical. Often, the dynamic will increase as a melody gets higher, and
vice versa. Usually, the climax of the piece will quite loud. Bear in mind that some
instruments are not able to produce some notes at some dynamics, for example a middle C,
which is the lowest note on the flute, is extremely difficult to play FF, and likewise playing
very high notes pianissimo will be very difficult.
• The letter dynamics are used to show an unchanging dynamic level, so writing MF under the
first note means that the following notes are played at the same dynamic. Writing a PP
would then mean that the dynamic level is changing abruptly. Most of the time, it's better to
use the hairpin dynamics to show a gradual change of dynamic, between the letters.
• Place the letters and hairpins as accurately as you and make sure they are logical.
• There is no need to add bowing directions or special effects like pizzicato. Unless you are
100% that what you have written is going to work for the instrument concerned, it's best not
to bother, because you will lose marks if those performance directions don't make sense.
• Don't scatter a wide range of performance directions everywhere either - stick to the types
of articulation that were used in the given opening.

© Victoria Williams – www.mymusictheory.com 1

Grade 6 Composition Course
6. PERFORMANCE DIRECTIONS | PRACTICE

Add appropriate performance directions to these melodies.

1. Melody for clarinet

2. Melody for Trombone

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© Victoria Williams – www.mymusictheory.com 2

Grade 6 Composition Course