ABSTRACT
Loudness has traditionally been used in musical contexts to assist in the expressive qualities of musical ideas. This function of dynamics helps shape the direction of a musical idea, helps delineate separate musical ideas (usually in relation to their importance to the musical message), assists in creating nuance in the expressive qualities of the performance, and/or it may add drama to the musical moment. In all of these cases, dynamics have functioned in supportive roles in the communication of the musical message.
