In music, dynamic refers to the strength of sound (intensity) of tones in the two aspects of loudness and emphasis.

Loudness can be represented as a state or as a change.

State

• fortefortissimo: as loud as possible — fff
• fortissimo: very loud — ff
• forte: loud — f
• mezzoforte: half loud — mf
• mezzopiano: semi-quiet — mp
• piano: soft — p
• pianissimo: very soft — pp
• pianopianissimo: as soft as possible — ppp

As additions, there can be instructions like subito („suddenly“, abbreviated sub.) or più („more“) and meno („less“).

However, since the ukulele is in itself a quiet instrument, these instructions can only be realized within narrow limits, at least when playing solo.

Change

• fortepiano („loud-quiet“): loud and suddenly quiet on — fp
• crescendo („increasing“): gradually become louder — cresc. <
• decrescendo („decreasing“): gradually become quieter — decresc. >
• diminuendo („becoming less“): gradually becoming quieter (and slightly slower) — dim. >
• perdendosi („losing (strength)“): to gradually become quieter (and slower) — perd.
• calando („sinking“): to gradually become quieter and slower
• deficiendo („fading away“): gradually becoming quieter and slower.

In most cases, no distinction is made between decrescendo and diminuendo. In some composers (e.g. Schubert) decrescendo denotes only a gradual lowering of volume, diminuendo on the other hand also a gradual and careful slowing down, especially at the end of a piece.¹⁾ Calando, deficiendo and perdendosi are rare and largely synonymous.

• marcato („emphasized“): emphasized — >.
• martellato („hammered“): strongly accented — ⋀
• sforzato: with sudden, strong stress — sfz, sf, fz.
• rinforzando („reinforcing“): (again) becoming stronger — rfz, rf.

Marcato is used mainly to make melody notes stand out from the musical environment. Accents can also be used to emphasize syncopation (i.e. rhythmic shifts) by reinforcing unaccented notes from the beat.