Pianissimo: very soft
Pianissimo, written pp, is an Italian word meaning very soft. It is quieter than piano (p) and louder than pianississimo (ppp). Like all dynamics it is relative to the group and the room.
Pianissimo (say pee-ah-NISS-ih-moh) is the Italian superlative of piano, which means soft. So pianissimo means very soft. It is written pp, two lowercase letters in italics, under the staff. The ending -issimo means very, or the most, and it is used in the same way in fortissimo.
How is pianissimo written?
The symbol is pp, placed below the staff, or between the two staves in piano music. It applies from that spot until a new dynamic appears. In a few pieces you will find ppp, called pianississimo, for even softer playing. Beyond that, composers sometimes write pppp, but the meaning gets vague, and it is up to the performer to find the softest sound that still works.
How soft is pianissimo?
Pianissimo is very quiet, but not silent. It should still have a clear tone that carries to the back of the room. A good pianissimo is full of life. A weak, breathy sound is not what the composer wants. The exact volume depends on the instrument and the hall. A pp in a large concert hall can be louder in absolute terms than a p in a small practice room.
How do you play pianissimo?
- Piano: Use light arm weight and a slow, gentle key descent. Keep the fingers close to the keys. Many pianists also use the left pedal, called the una corda pedal, which softens and changes the tone color.
- Strings: Use a light bow with little pressure and a slow stroke. Keep the bow a bit farther from the bridge and watch the speed.
- Winds and brass: Use a steady, focused stream of air. Quiet playing needs good breath support. Do not let the pitch fall flat, and do not let the tone fade away.
- Voice: Sing with breath energy and a relaxed throat. A pianissimo needs more control, not less. The sound should float.
Practice tip: Imagine you want only the person next to you to hear. Keep the tone alive and in tune. Soft playing is the hardest to control.
What is the difference between pianissimo and nearby dynamics?
| Marking | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ppp | Pianississimo | Extremely soft |
| pp | Pianissimo | Very soft |
| p | Piano | Soft |
| mp | Mezzo piano | Medium soft |
Each step is a little louder than the one before. The scale is relative: the player must keep clear steps between levels. See the page on dynamics for the full ladder, from soft to loud.
Why do composers use pianissimo?
A pianissimo passage can sound mysterious, tender, distant or full of suspense. It draws the listener in, since people lean in to hear a quiet sound. After a loud section, a sudden pianissimo creates a strong contrast. It can also act as the starting point for a long crescendo, giving the music plenty of room to grow.
Check yourself
1. What does pianissimo mean?
Answer: Very soft. It is the superlative of piano.
2. What is the symbol for pianissimo?
Answer: pp. Two p letters in a row stand for pianissimo.
3. Which marking is even softer than pianissimo?
Answer: Pianississimo (ppp). Each extra p means softer.
4. Which pedal on the piano makes the sound softer?
Answer: The left (una corda) pedal. It softens the tone and changes its color.