PIANISSIMO
A note the is played very soft (this is the softest you
most likely see in music)
PIANO
A note that is played soft
MEZZO PIANO
A note that is played half as soft as piano
MEZZO FORTE
A note the is played half as loud as forte (this is the
default level if no marking is given)
FORTE
A note that is played loud
FORTISSIMO
A note that is played very loud
FORTISSISSIMO
A note that is played very very loud
SFORZANDO
A note that is played with a sudden or fierce sound
FORTE PIANO
A section of music that is played loud then suddenly soft
CRESCENDO
A note or group of notes that is played soft and gets
louder
DECRESCENDO OR DIMINUENDO
A note or group of notes that is played loud and gets
softer
ARTICULATION MARKS
STACCATO
This note is to be played short and somewhat “punched”