Dynamics

The range between the quietest and loudest parts of a performance, and how a player or an amplifier handles that range.

On guitar, dynamics are mostly made in the right hand: how hard the string is struck decides how loudly it speaks, how much the amplifier's valves are pushed, and how much high-frequency attack arrives with the note. A good amplifier or pedal responds to that, so playing softer actually cleans up rather than just getting quieter. Compression narrows the dynamic range deliberately, which is useful for consistency but costs the player the ability to shape a line by touch alone.

Example: rolling the volume knob back and picking gently cleans up a cranked amp entirely, which is the whole technique behind a lot of classic rhythm playing.

Dynamics

See also