Dynamics

• pp - pianissimo is very quiet
• p - piano is quiet
• mp - mezzo piano is medium quiet
• f - forte is loud
• mf - mezzo forte is medium loud
• ff - fortissimo is very loud
• fp - fortepiano is loud then immediately quiet
• sfz - sforzando means with force and sudden emphasis
• < - crescendo is to gradually get louder
• > - diminuendo/decrescendo is to gradually get quieter
• Terraced dynamics abruptly change from f to p and vice versa without crescendos and diminuendos and are a key feature of baroque music