Which term indicates a gradual decrease in volume?

• A. Sostenuto
• B. Diminuendo
• C. Adagio
• D. Unison

Answer: (B)

In music, how loud or soft things are played changes over time, and these changes are written as dynamic markings. Diminuendo signals a gradual softening of the sound, often shown with a hairpin that narrows as it moves to the right or abbreviated as dim. This creates a smooth decrease in volume from one moment to the next. It’s the opposite of crescendo, which indicates a gradual increase in volume.

Sostenuto means to sustain notes, keeping them held for longer or with a connected feel, rather than changing the volume over time. Adagio is a tempo indication telling you to play slowly, not about dynamics. Unison refers to multiple parts sounding the same pitch or in the same line, which also relates to pitch alignment rather than how the volume changes.