mezzopiano

Mezzopiano, abbreviated mp, is a dynamic marking in Western music notation indicating a moderately soft volume. The term is Italian for mezzo piano ("half soft"), placed in scores to guide performers between piano (p) and mezzo-forte (mf).

Interpretation: It signals a gentle, subdued sound; not as quiet as piano, but softer than mf. It is used to shape phrases, create contrast, and help voices blend in ensembles or accompany solo lines. The exact level depends on context, instrument, and stylistic period, and performers adjust touch, articulation, and tempo to realize the marking.

Notation and usage: mp may appear as the abbreviation mp or the full term mezzo-piano; sometimes hyphenated mezzo-piano. It can be accompanied by hairpins (crescendo or decrescendo) to indicate shading within a phrase. In practice, performers balance tone and resonance to achieve the intended dynamic effect.

History and context: The use of dynamic markings such as mp became prominent in the Classical era as composers sought more precise expression; mp sits between p and mf on the dynamic scale. While common in classical and romantic repertoire, Baroque scores often relied on broader expressive marks rather than fixed dynamic levels, with mp becoming standard in later periods.