Term
Abbreviation
Definition
Soft volume
As loud as possible
Combined Markings
Abbreviation
Definition
Dynamic Transitions
Abbreviation
Definition
Crescendo or
Diminuendo or
|
Term |
Abbreviation |
Definition |
| Piano | p | Soft volume |
| Pianissimo | pp | |
| Pianississimo | ppp | Very soft volume |
| Pianissississimo | pppp | |
| Pianississississimo | ppppp | Extremely soft volume |
| Pianissississississimo | pppppp | As soft as possible |
| Mezzo forte | mf | Medium loud volume |
| Mezzo piano | mp | Medium soft volume |
| Fortissississimo | ffff | As loud as possible |
| Fortississimo | fff | Extremely loud volume |
| Fortissimo | ff | Very loud volume |
| Forte | f | Loud volume |
| Forzando or Forzato | fz or ffz | Begin the note loudly with a very strong accent |
| Sforzando | sf or sff or sfff | Loud and accented |
| Sforzato | sfz or sffz or sfffz | Loud and accented |
Combined Markings |
Abbreviation |
Definition |
| Pianoforte | pf | Soft then immediately loud |
| Fortepiano | fp | Loud and accented then immediately soft |
| Fortissimo piano | ffp | Begin the note very loudly, instantly diminishing to a much softer volume. |
| Mezzoforte piano | mfp | Begin the note moderately loudly, instantly diminishing to a much softer volume. |
| Sforzando piano | sfp | Begin the note loudly, with a marked and sudden emphasis, instantly diminishing to a much softer volume. |
Dynamic Transitions |
Abbreviation |
Definition |
Crescendo or |
cresc. | Gradually increase volume |
| Decrescendo or |
decr. or decresc. | Gradually decrease volume |
Diminuendo or |
dim. | Gradually decrease volume |