Piano

Full Description

Piano, as a dynamic marking, instructs the performer to play softly. The word is Italian for soft or quiet, and in notation it is represented by the letter p. It sits toward the lower end of the standard dynamic spectrum, quieter than mezzo piano and louder only than pianissimo. The dynamic marking piano should not be confused with the instrument of the same name. The instrument, the pianoforte, takes its name from this quality: the Italian for soft-loud, reflecting its then-revolutionary ability compared to the harpsichord to play at different dynamic levels depending on touch. Playing softly is often considered more difficult than playing loudly. A true piano requires controlled touch, enough weight to produce a clear resonant tone but not so much that the note becomes mezzo forte by accident. Tension in the hand is the enemy of a good piano: a tight grip produces a hard percussive sound, whereas a relaxed hand allows the key to be depressed with exactly the weight needed for a gentle singing tone. Piano passages require the performer to maintain musical intensity and direction even while playing quietly. The common mistake is to treat piano as an invitation to disengage. A quiet passage often demands greater concentration, precision, and expressive shaping than a loud one. Some of the most affecting moments in the repertoire, Chopin nocturnes, late Beethoven, Schubert lieder, are sustained at a near-whisper throughout.