forzando

Forzando is a musical term of Italian origin meaning “forced” or “emphasized.” In notation, it designates a strong, sudden accent on a note or chord. The marking is often indicated by the word forzando above or below the attacked pitch, or more commonly by the abbreviations fz or sf (sforzando) in many editions. While related, sforzando marks (sfz) are typically understood as a stronger or more abrupt emphasis, and some editors distinguish forzando as a single, forcible attack rather than a prolonged emphasis.

Usage and interpretation vary with musical context. Forzando can apply to a single note, a chord, or a small group of notes, and may appear in conjunction with other dynamic or articulatory markings. In performance, it signals a sudden, noticeable accent at the onset of the marked note or chord, often followed by a quick relaxation or shift to a new dynamic.

Historically, forzando has been used across classical and Romantic repertoire and persists in modern notation as part of traditional articulation vocabulary. In some contemporary editions, editors may favor the more explicit sf or sfz markings to convey a similar idea with greater intensity, but forzando remains a recognized articulation, particularly in pedagogical contexts or older scores. See also sforzando and sforzato for related expressions of sudden emphasis.