Pianissimo - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Pianissimo is a musical term meaning very soft or quiet. It is often abbreviated as pp in sheet music and instructs musicians to play with minimal volume.
Definition:
Very soft or quiet musical passage, often indicated in sheet music by "pp."
Synonyms:
softly, quietly, gently
Part of Speech:
adverb, noun
Antonyms:
fortissimo, loudly
Common Collocations:
play pianissimo, marked pianissimo, sing pianissimo
Derivatives:
pianissimos (plural noun), pianissimoly (adverb)
Usage Tips:
Use "pianissimo" to describe extremely soft music; it’s often written as "pp" in musical scores.
Common Phrases:
play it pianissimo, a pianissimo passage, almost pianissimo
Etymology:
Italian origin, from "piano" (soft) + "-issimo" (superlative suffix), meaning "very soft."
Examples:
- 1. The orchestra played the final notes pianissimo for a delicate effect.
- 2. She whispered the lyrics almost pianissimo to match the mood of the song.
- 3. The composer marked this section pianissimo to create a haunting atmosphere.
- 4. His fingers moved lightly over the keys, producing a beautiful pianissimo tone.