Sforzando

Sforzando, notated as sfz or sf, indicates a sudden, sharp accent on a single note or chord. The note is played with an explosive emphasis, louder than the music around it — even if the prevailing dynamic is already piano or pianissimo, the sforzando note erupts above it.

The term comes from the Italian sforzare, ‘to force’. The implication is exactly that: force the note out, give it a kick. On strings, this means a fast bow stroke with sudden weight. On piano, a quick attack with arm drop. On winds, a punched tongued attack.

Sforzando differs from a regular accent (>) in degree and character. An accent gives a slight emphasis; sforzando is a much sharper, more explosive attack. Beethoven is the great master of sforzando — his sforzandos punctuate phrases like exclamation points, often in surprising or off-beat places, creating his characteristic rhythmic vitality.

Italian, gerund of sforzare (‘to force, strain’), from s- (intensifier) + forza (‘force’), from Latin fortia.

Make the sforzando a distinct event. The note must clearly stand out from its neighbors. Don’t merely play it slightly louder — give it a sharp, percussive quality that registers as a deliberate accent.