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 cres. vs. <
Author: Ben 
Date:   2004-02-08 03:15

Why do compsers/editors use cres./decres. sometimes, and at other times use hairpins (< or >)?

I wonder if there IS a distinction, as I have often seen a measure with both markings used.

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: Katrina 
Date:   2004-02-08 05:01

My guess would be that if both are used in ONE measure, that the < or > marking would refer to the specific notes under which it appears, and that the "cresc./decresc." notation would indicate a longer increase or decrease in volume. That may also be the general assumption when they're used independently too, but I really don't know the answer. I would be interested if anyone has any further info, though.

Katrina

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2004-02-08 06:00

As I've always seen it, < is used when it's a relatively small amount of time (ie one to four? measures or so). cres usually is a much slower crescendo that lasts MANY measures. Also, I've never seen cresc lead to a sudden drop in volume, however I have seen p<p meaning to grow louder and louder, and then instead of ending in a dramatic forte, it seems to lead to a piano.

I'm not great at theory, these are just my observations from the music that I've played.

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: Alphie 
Date:   2004-02-08 09:25

I think you're on the right path here. < is used within a phrase as a gesture or recommendation by the composer or the editor marking a temporary swell.
Cresc. is a more serious intention leading up to a climax.

Alphie

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: Burt 
Date:   2004-02-08 16:46

According to my 20th Century Composition Prof, "cresc" is being used almost exclusively by the modern composers. (I wonder if it has anything to do with the capabilities of the computer software.) But he considers them to be interchangeable.

He also said that the "C" time signature is not used anymore, phased out in favor of "4/4. (vertically aranged, but I can't do that here)"

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: GBK 
Date:   2004-02-08 17:00

Burt wrote:

> According to my 20th Century Composition Prof, "cresc" is being
> used almost exclusively by the modern composers. (I wonder if
> it has anything to do with the capabilities of the computer
> software.)


Ask him how he explains Beethoven's use of "cresc".

The terms/symbols "cresc. and < " , "decresc. and dim. and >" are all interchangeable ....GBK

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: Avie 
Date:   2004-02-08 17:37

I was under the impression that < or > means an accent and refers to specific notes and cres/decres means a gradual increase or decrease in volume or intensity. Listening to a recording while reading the written music helps to determine what sounds the best to you.



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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2004-02-08 22:26

Yes > means accent, but < means crescendo. Also, they are speaking of an elongated "<". (Our keyboard can't do it, but a < that goes under the measure, spanned across a few notes)

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: paulwl 
Date:   2004-02-08 23:26

OK, now how about "cresc./dim. poco a poco" vs. just plain "cresc./dim."?

Seems to me that "gradually" would imply "little-by-little"...unless you wanted the volume to change in measured steps, in which case p < mp < mf < f would be the thing.

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: Hank Lehrer 
Date:   2004-02-08 23:36

Hi,

If you want a treat, look at Percey Grainger's markings. As I recall, no one before or since has used such interersting or descriptive notations. I don't have any music in front of me but I recall that his terms seemed to fit very well.

HRL

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2004-02-09 00:40

Grainger can be a bit tough to interpret at times...

"clingingly & feelingly" or "throbbingly" are some style markings, and a molto cresc is represented by "louden lots". It usually takes me a bit longer to internalize them, as I'm more used to seeing "dolce "or "cresc" on the page.

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: Bnatural 
Date:   2004-02-09 00:53

I had found all of this reasonabley simple (i was young at the time)... then i get a Grainger suite set in front of me.... it just floors you "clingly".... don't we all no what that means?.... lol......... i had assumed that adding poco a poco to dim. was to indicate doing it slower...

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: diz 
Date:   2004-02-09 02:26

poco a poco to a diminuendo isn't as silly as it might (firstly) appear.

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2004-02-09 05:44

lol. I remember a rediculous grainger piece I played. "Faster than Tempo I, but slower than tempo II." "Slightly faster than last tempo, but slower than tempo I". Wierd, wierd stuff.

I was confused with "subito piano"(spelling?) or "subito forte". Does that mean "suddenly softer/louder" or "slightly softer/louder" than what I just played? Thanks

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2004-02-09 06:21

Subito means suddenly.

Poco dim would mean slightly softer. Dim poco a poco means softer little by little.

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2004-02-09 06:24

Thanks

US Army Japan Band

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: D Dow 
Date:   2004-02-09 13:34

Some crescendos take place over longer time periods and to mark it under the bar over 2 lines is impossible...hence markings like cresc. a poco etc.

David Dow

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: Rachel 
Date:   2004-02-09 23:23

Well, I use cresc. because my music software is touchy about <, and corrupts the file half the time when I try to use it :)

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: diz 
Date:   2004-02-10 00:08

Rachel ... sounds like a new piece of software - you in Sydney?

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: Rachel 
Date:   2004-02-11 00:18

It isn't new software- it is Music Works Personal 2.5. I'm in Brisbane.

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 Re: cres. vs.
Author: donald 
Date:   2004-02-11 00:24

what a silly thread
i can't believe i wasted my time reading it

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