- Definition
In music, a crescendo means the sound gradually gets louder.
In a song, a crescendo might start with a quiet piano and slowly build as more instruments join in, getting louder.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A crescendo is like the sound of a friend's voice getting louder as they run toward you from across the playground.
Ask your child: Can you say your name, starting in a whisper and ending in a shout?
Common mix-up: Kids may think a crescendo just means 'play loud.' The key is that it's a gradual build-up, not a sudden jump in volume.
Examples
- A singer holding one note and making it swell from soft to loud.
- A drummer playing a roll that starts quietly and gets progressively louder.
crescendo is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
