- Definition
Expressive controls are the ways musicians add feeling and emphasis to music, like playing louder or softer, faster or slower, or holding a note longer.
Playing a song faster and louder during the chorus makes it sound more exciting.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Expressive controls are like the different ways you use your voice when telling a story — you might whisper, speak quickly, or pause to make it more exciting.
Ask your child: How would you sing this song to make it sound happy versus sad?
Common mix-up: Kids often think playing the right notes is enough. Expressive controls are what musicians use to add emotion and bring the music to life.
Examples
- Playing notes short and detached can make music sound bouncy or playful.
- Holding the last note of a song for a long time gives it a big, dramatic finish.
expressive controls 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 ↗
