Dynamic shaping is one of the trickiest aspects of musical interpretation. Even seasoned performers struggle over decisions involving dynamics, and performers will often disagree about subtleties of tone production and shading. A performer’s distinctive sound and color palette is often their trademark. Some students have a natural musicality that enables them to bring a musical composition to life with an appropriate range of colors. Most often, even “musical” students need a teacher’s coaching when it comes to dynamic shaping. “Extra” dynamics that have been carefully worked out and refined can be effective in illuminating the structure of a composition or adding substance or shape to a performer’s expressive inclinations right from the elementary levels. On the other hand, “extra” dynamics that make little sense can mask a composer’s true intentions and even distort a musical phrase. An understanding of harmony and phrase structure, coupled with an appreciation for musical style and a grasp of the composer’s expressive intentions, can help teachers and students make informed decisions about the extent to which “extra” dynamics can enhance a performance. Certainly at the more advanced levels, this interpretive aspect of refining repertoire becomes more important in creating a convincing and compelling performance.