Sforzando: a sudden strong accent
Sforzando, written sfz or sf, is an Italian word meaning forcing. It tells you to play a note with a sudden, strong accent, then return to the earlier dynamic. It applies to one note or chord, not a whole passage.
Sforzando (say sfor-TSAHN-doh) comes from the Italian sforzare, to force. In music it means a sudden, forceful accent on one note or chord. The letters sfz or sf are written below the staff, and the player attacks the note strongly before the sound settles back to the dynamic that was there before.
How is sforzando written?
The usual signs are sfz, sf and sometimes sforzato (sfz) written out. They are placed under the note, in the same spot as other dynamics. Unlike forte, the mark does not set a new level. It singles out one note. After it, the music continues at the earlier dynamic unless something else is written. The sign is italic, like all dynamic letters.
How do you play a sforzando?
- Piano: Drop the arm weight sharply into the key and release the energy at once. Then play the next notes at the old level. The note should not be longer, only stronger.
- Strings: Use a quick, strong bow attack. The note can then relax, as if the bow dug in and then eased off.
- Winds and brass: Use a strong tongue and a burst of air at the start, then let the sound fall back. The note often has a slight bloom, then a quick decay.
- Voice: Use a sharp onset supported by breath, then relax. The accent should be clear but not harsh.
Practice tip: Think of a sudden jolt. The accent hits and fades quickly. If the whole note stays loud, it has become a forte.
What is the difference between sforzando and similar marks?
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sfz or sf | A sudden, strong accent on one note |
| fp | Forte, then piano at once |
| rfz or rf | Rinforzando, a stress that reinforces a note or a short group of notes |
| > | An accent: stress on one note, usually milder |
| ^ | Marcato: strong and a bit short |
Sforzando is stronger than the simple accent sign. In practice, the difference between the signs is a matter of degree, and composers had personal habits, so always judge by the style and loudness around the note. For loud passages use forte or fortissimo.
How does it differ from forte-piano?
Fp means forte followed at once by piano. The sound starts loud, then drops right away. A sforzando also starts strong and softens, but it is about a note in the middle of a quiet or normal passage. In fp, the note is loud and the following dynamic is quiet. In sfz, the surrounding music stays at its level, and only the one note jumps.
Why do composers use sforzando?
It adds surprise and energy. A sudden sfz in a quiet passage makes the listener jump. It can also mark an off-beat or syncopated accent, adding bite to a rhythm. Beethoven, Haydn and many Romantic composers made great use of it. In modern music it appears in jazz, band and film scores as well.
Check yourself
1. What does sforzando mean?
Answer: A sudden strong accent. Sforzando comes from an Italian word meaning forcing.
2. Which letters stand for sforzando?
Answer: sfz. The shorter form sf is also used for sforzando.
3. What happens after a sforzando note?
Answer: The music returns to the previous dynamic. It affects only one note or chord.
4. What does fp mean?
Answer: Loud, then soft at once. It is forte followed by piano.