scomparendo

Scomparendo is an Italian musical instruction meaning "disappearing." It directs the performer to make a note or passage gradually fade away until it becomes inaudible, rather than ending abruptly. The effect is often achieved through a combination of very soft dynamics, a gradual reduction of sound, and sometimes a shortening of the note’s duration, depending on the instrument and context.

Application and interpretation can vary by genre and era. In piano music, a scomparendo may involve decreasing touch, pedal use, and dynamic change to create a sense of the tone retreating. In string and wind parts, it can be realized by easing bow pressure or air flow while sustaining a soft dynamic, yielding a hushed, ethereal finish. In vocal music, it can translate to a breathy, fading timbre. Because it is a descriptive expression rather than a fixed dynamic marking, performers and editors often interpret it in light of surrounding indications such as morendo, diminuendo, or tempo considerations.

The term originated in Italian and is most commonly encountered in late Romantic and modern repertoire, where composers sought to emphasize timbre and texture as much as pitch. While not as standardized as some other terms, scomparendo remains a recognized directive for creating a ghostly or dissolving sonic effect.

See also: morendo, diminuendo, disappearing or fading tonal effects.