fp

dynamicsFOR-tay pee-AH-nohfrom Italian

[Forte-piano](/term/forte-piano): loud, then immediately soft.

In Depth

Forte-[piano](/term/forte-piano) (fp) is a dynamic marking that combines two contrasting instructions: play the note loud (forte), then immediately drop to soft (piano).‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍ The result is a sudden, dramatic accent that quickly recedes, creating a punchy attack followed by a quiet sustain. The effect is widely used in Classical-period music, where sudden dynamic contrasts were a hallmark of the style. Haydn and Beethoven used fp extensively to surprise listeners and add drama to their compositions. The marking requires precise control — the transition from loud to soft must be immediate, not gradual.

Did you know?

Beethoven used fp markings more than any other composer of his era — they appear over 2,000 times across his complete works, reflecting his love of dramatic contrast.