Hi, I've some questions on reading dynamics correctly. Can someone help:

1. In a piece that says "cantabile" and "freely moving", what is the right tempo to play?

2. In another piece I'm currently practicing, the time signature is 6/8 time and the piece has combinations of dotted-quaver notes and semi-quavers. The first bar has the words "con Ped." which I think means "to pedal continuosly" until end of the piece. When do I change pedals? After every 3 counts (of the quaver) or with each new bar?

3. If the tempo is 58 "dotted crotchet beats" in a minute, what do I set in my metronome? Is it correct to use the triplets rhythm and set number of the beat at 58? My metronome does not have dotted crotchet beat rhythms. Or do I need to convert the "58" beats into another number?

4. 2 little notes leaning against a main note. Are the 2 little notes accacciatura? Can I play all the 3 notes like triplets (with even count)?

Thanks!!

Firstly dynamics refers to instructions about vloume (how loudly or quietly you play).
Other performance directions are not dynamic markings.

1. Non of these give too much indication of speed more of mood really.

2. Con pedale just means 'with pedal', not contiuous pedal. you might be most likely to change the pedal where the harmony changes... listen to hear what sound good and what sounds 'mushy'.

3. I've not seen a metrnome that has any particular sort of note as the beat... I thought they all just ticked at whatever speed you set and you fit the beat into that. Set the metronome to 58 and count 2 beats in a bar at this speed. In 6/8 a beat is a dotted crotchet which divivdes into 3 quavers. ( I think that maybe the mysteries of compound time might be better explained by ayour teacher if you have one or someone who understands it than trying to explain it purely in words... it helps to be able to demonstrate).
I wouldn't use a metronome until after I'd got the notes and rhythm pretty well sorted out anyway.. then I might use it to check that I've got something like the suggested speed.

4. the three notes might work ok played like a triplet.

I hope you enjoy learning whatever it is but it might be better to start with something simpler and build up as there seem to be a lot of things you don't understand yet about the written music.

Do you have someone who could help you with these tempo issues who is "on the ground" - a teacher maybe? As sbhoa says, it is often better to answer these type of questions with demonstrations (clapping etc) rather than purely with words.

Cantabile strict meaning is 'in a singing style' so it is no indication of tempo.
Imagine the melody is being sung, what comfortable speed would you sing it ?

I concur with other replies . A dotted crotchet on the metronome setting in 6/8 time means one 'pulse'of the metronome per half bar. So you play equivalent of three quavers per metronome pulse.

Am I right in guessing your "58 beats per minute" piece is in 6/8 or something else over 8? In which you just set your metronome for 58. In 6/8 time you should actually be counting in 2 dotted crotchet beats in the bar, not in 6 quavers...... as 6/8 technically means 2 dotted crotchet beats in a bar (oops - nearly typed crotted dotchets there...!! ) with each beat divided into 3 quavers rather than into 2 quavers as you get with 2/4 3/4 4/4 time signatures. Do you do theory with your teacher? If not, you should maybe think about asking if you can, then you will be able to cover and understand things like this.....

Hi, thanks for everyone's advice! I realize now I should have typed "... dynamics, tempo, et.al" in the topic of my question.

I have practised the "cantabile" piece both fast and moderato. I guess I should go with moderato, since cantabile is involved. I should have applied more common sense there!

Yes, the "58 dotted-crotchet beats" piece I mentioned has 6/8 time signature. I know how to count it when I play. It's just ensuring the correct speed that I'm not sure about (e.g. when timed to my metronome).

My metronome is an electronic device (battery operated) that I bought recently. I'm still "experimenting" with it. My teacher hasn't said anything about needing a metronome yet. I bought the device on my own and only use it at home when I practise. It has several rhythms to choose from for every beat number. One of these days, I'll bring it to school and ask my teacher.

BTW, I'm in Grade 4 and intend to sit for the theory and practical exams next year. I've completed my theory lessons and am doing past years' exam papers and workbook revisions. I'm also practising some exam pieces (from the new syllabus). My teacher doesn't require me to practise the exam pieces yet, but at home, I've started on some pieces I like such as Sandre's "Petit Bateaux L'seau" (hope the spelling's correct) which absolutely enchants me because the melody is so beautiful! It's actually the 6/8 piece I mentioned in my last post. I want to play it up to speed. I have my metronome, but I still don't know how to use it properly!

when you get your metronome set to the speed you want listen first and count yourself in a couple of bars to get the feeling of the tempo before you start to play.
It might help to sing (in your head if you prefer) a little of your piece in time to the metronome so that you get an idea of how it goes.

Thanks! I'll try that!