What is a Pianissimo?

Pianissimo is a musical dynamic marking that means “very soft.” The word comes from Italian and is written in sheet music as pp. When performers see this marking, they are instructed to play or sing very quietly with a gentle and delicate sound.

Pianissimo is softer than piano (soft) and is often used to create a calm, intimate, or mysterious atmosphere in the music. Musicians must maintain control and clarity even at this very low volume so that the notes remain expressive and audible.

Composers use pianissimo to add contrast and emotional depth to a piece. It may appear in quiet passages, reflective moments, or sections that require subtle expression. By combining very soft dynamics like pianissimo with louder sections, music can create a wider range of dramatic and expressive effects.