Explore Dynamics with music dictionary guides to piano, forte, crescendo, diminuendo, accents, and expressive volume control.
Forte is an Italian term used in musical notation to indicate that a passage should be played loudly. It is part of the dynamics system that guides the relative volume of notes and phrases. The symbol f represents forte, and it is often contrasted with softer markings such as piano or mezzo‑forte.
Forte‑piano (abbreviated fp) is a dynamic marking indicating a passage should be played loudly and then immediately softly. It creates a sudden contrast and is used across a wide range of musical styles.
Niente is an Italian musical term meaning “nothing.” It directs performers to produce an extremely soft, near‑silent sound, often used at the beginning or end of a phrase to create a dramatic fade‑in or fade‑out.