Dear Colleagues,

Here's a specific technique for getting unbelievable crescendi and decrescendi. It's based on the idea that the thought of a crescendo or decrescendo will not, by itself, create a great one; kids need to experience the physical sensation of the dynamic.

Here is all that is needed to create a dramatic crescendo (use the same approach for the decrescendo) in this phrase:

1. Conduct the first note - G - pp; if it is not played really pp, ask the students if it was. Since they won't have been listening, conduct that note again and again until they tell you it is - and you agree.
   
   
2. Then conduct the last note - D - ff; go through the same procedure until they are producing a robust fortissimo.
   
   This will initiate three vital processes for the young musicians:
   • Listening;
   • Taking responsibility for their playing;
   • Conditioning their muscles to how pp and ff feel.
   
   
3. Conduct the first note (don't go on if it's not pp - remember to send the right message) and then, after a pause, the last note (same story - make sure it's ff; if not, be sure to check that your gesture is really powerful). Do this several times.
   
   
4. Now conduct the first note, then, after a pause, the second note - A. Ask them if the second note was louder than the first. If they're not sure, conduct the two notes again until it's right.
   
   Keep asking them how it was - don't tell them; by asking, you get them actively involved in their learning, and you send the message: "You are responsible for how things are."
   
   
5. When the first two notes are right, then conduct the first three - G-A-B. Go through the same process. By now, the group will be listening and you should have their full attention; it's really quite remarkable how well this can work.
   
   
6. Repeat the process through the last note, making sure that the last note is the same ff they played at the beginning of the process.
   
   Once you are satisfied, put the crescendo in context by beginning a few bars before it occurs; it's likely that the crescendo won't be as effective as before. No problem - this is normal. Just ask the group how the crescendo was, whether it was as good as before, etc. Then run it again.