What does pianissimo mean?
Pianissimo is a musical direction meaning “very softly.” It tells performers to use a very low volume, often with a delicate, controlled, or restrained quality. The term is the superlative of piano, which means softly, and it appears in scores, rehearsal instructions, concert reviews, and discussions of musical dynamics. It can also be used as a noun for a passage or dynamic level marked as very soft. Because it comes from Italian, pianissimo is normally italicized in prose, though many publications omit italics in short technical references. In a musical context, the word suggests not merely reduced loudness but careful control and subtlety, making it especially useful when describing a quiet, fragile, or expressive performance.
In a musical direction, very softly or with extremely low volume.
"The horn section enters pianissimo at the beginning of the movement."
Common in scores and descriptions of musical performance; often italicized in prose.
A very soft musical passage, dynamic level, or performance marking.
"The composition closes with an abrupt pianissimo."
The plural is pianissimi.
The plural refers to very soft passages or dynamic levels and is most common in musical commentary.
"The score's final pianissimi are marked with barely a whisper of sound."
Pianissimo is Italian for “very softly,” and it lets composers demand the tiniest, most delicate sound in a score.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pianissimo come from?
Pianissimo comes from Italian, where it is the superlative form of piano, meaning “softly.” The Italian musical terminology entered English through the widespread use of Italian terms for dynamics and performance directions. Its counterparts include crescendo for a gradual increase in loudness and diminuendo for a gradual decrease, while fortissimo provides the direct opposite dynamic.
How pianissimo is actually used
Pianissimo is primarily a musical term, used in performance directions, scores, and descriptions of musical style. In the plural, pianissimi is used for the softest passages or dynamic levels.
Easily confused with pianissimo
Piano means softly, whereas pianissimo means very softly and is the superlative of piano.
Fortissimo instructs a performer to play very loudly, the opposite of pianissimo.