dynamics markings
The standard system of Italian abbreviations indicating volume levels from softest to loudest
In Depth
The dynamics scale runs: ppp (pianississimo) – pp (pianissimo) – p (piano) – mp (mezzo-piano) – mf (mezzo-forte) – f (forte) – ff (fortissimo) – fff (fortississimo). Additional markings include sfz (sforzando, sudden accent), fp (forte-piano, loud then immediately soft), rfz (rinforzando, reinforced), and the directional markings crescendo and diminuendo. Dynamics are relative rather than absolute — a piano in a concerto is louder than a piano in a lullaby. The system was standardised in the Baroque era.
Tchaikovsky marked passages pppppp (six ps) and Verdi used four ps — pushing the system beyond its conventional limits for extreme effect.