Crescendo
A crescendo asks you to grow louder across a span of music. It may be written cresc. or drawn as a hairpin widening to the right. The increase should unfold through the phrase, not jump to the loudest level on the first note.
- gradually louder
- widening hairpin
- steady pulse
What does the sign tell you?
A crescendo hairpin resembles a long < across the passage. Its narrow end is the softer side and its wide end is the louder side. The text cresc. gives the same direction, often when the change stretches across more music.
How loud is the destination?
Look for a marking at the end. A rise from p to mf is smaller than one from p to ff. If no destination is printed, choose a clear increase that fits the following phrase. A hairpin gives direction, not a measured loudness target.
Is crescendo also an acceleration?
No. Tempo stays as written unless a separate marking changes it. Loudness and speed can feel linked, so count or tap while you grow. Dynamics, Articulation and Terms explains how these layers stay distinct.
Crescendo or accent?
An Accent marks one local attack. A crescendo shapes several notes. Play four notes with only the last accented; then play four with a gradual increase. Both may end strongly, but the route sounds different.