Grades 1–2
Soft or Loud? Dynamics Match
Dynamics tell you how loud or soft to play. Draw a line from each sign to what it means.
Music theory worksheet · Dynamics and tempo
Dynamics and Tempo Word Search
Find twelve dynamics and tempo words. They go across, down and diagonally.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Topic
- Dynamics and tempo
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Reading p, mp, mf and f, Ordering dynamics from softest to loudest, Reading crescendo and decrescendo signs, Knowing tempo words from largo to presto
What kids do
Words on this sheet
pianofortelargoprestotempoadagiomezzoallegroandante
Teacher tip
As each word is found, ask the finder to tell the class what it means or to act it out. It turns a quiet puzzle into a review.
How to use it
- Sing or clap one short pattern at each dynamic so kids feel the difference.
- Show a crescendo with your hands: start close together and spread them apart.
- Let kids work in pairs and check each other before you show the answer key.
Watch for
Mixing up loud with fast and soft with slow. Try loud and slow together to pull them apart.
Talk about it
- Is soft the same as slow? Why not?
- Where have you seen or heard this in a song we know?
Take it further
Let one child be the conductor and show dynamics with big and small arm motions.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More dynamics and tempo worksheets
Grades 2–4
Dynamics from Softest to Loudest
Number the six dynamics from 1, the softest, to 6, the loudest, then finish the sentences.
Grades 2–4
Getting Louder, Getting Softer
A crescendo gets louder little by little. A decrescendo gets softer. Circle the right word for each one.
Grades 3–5
Tempo Words: Slow to Fast
Tempo is the speed of the beat. Match each Italian tempo word to its meaning, then put them in order.
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