Which term is used to indicate a gradual decrease in volume, a synonym for decrescendo?

• A. Espressivo
• B. D.S. al Coda
• C. Diminuendo
• D. Deadline

Answer: (C)

In music dynamics, a gradual decrease in volume is indicated by diminuendo. This Italian term literally means “becoming softer” and is the standard way composers tell players to fade away in volume room by room or note by note. It’s a synonym for decrescendo, which you might also see on a score, sometimes written as dim. or shown with a hairpin that opens toward softer dynamics.

The other markings here don’t describe changing volume. Espressivo means to play with expressive style or feel, not a dynamic fade. D.S. al Coda is a navigation instruction to go back to a sign and then jump to a coda. Deadline isn’t a musical instruction at all. So diminuendo is the correct term.