#### 3.7.12 Dynamics

Absolute dynamic marks are specified using a command after a note `c4\ff`. The available dynamic marks are `\ppp`, `\pp`, `\p`, `\mp`, `\mf`, `\f`, `\ff`, `\fff`, `\fff`, `\fp`, `\sf`, `\sff`, `\sp`, `\spp`, `\sfz`, and `\rfz`

>          c'\ppp c\pp c \p c\mp c\mf c\f c\ff c\fff
>          c2\sf c\rfz

A crescendo mark is started with `\<` and terminated with `\!`. A decrescendo is started with `\>` and also terminated with `\!`. Because these marks are bound to notes, if you must use spacer notes if multiple marks during one note are needed

>          c''\< c''\! d''\> e''\!
>          << f''1 { s4 s4\< s4\! \> s4\! } >>

This may give rise to very short hairpins. Use `minimum-length` in Voice.Hairpin to lengthen them, for example

          \override Staff.Hairpin #'minimum-length = #5

You can also use a text saying cresc. instead of hairpins. Here is an example how to do it

>          \setTextCresc
>          c \< d e f\!
>          \setHairpinCresc
>          e\> d c b\!

You can also supply your own texts

>          \context Voice {
>            \set crescendoText = \markup { \italic "cresc. poco" }
>            \set crescendoSpanner = #'dashed-line
>            a'2\< a a a\!\mf
>          }

##### Predefined commands

`\dynamicUp`, `\dynamicDown`, `\dynamicBoth`.

##### See also

Program reference: CrescendoEvent, DecrescendoEvent, and AbsoluteDynamicEvent.

Dynamics DynamicText and Hairpin objects. Vertical positioning of these symbols is handled by the DynamicLineSpanner object.

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