mezzo piano

[ pee-ah-noh ]

adverb

, Music.

1. somewhat louder than piano but softer than forte; moderately soft.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mezzo piano¹

1805–15; < Italian: literally, half soft

Example Sentences

It’s a triumph of transcription, with the power to conjure a cathedral with only two hands and dynamics that rarely exceed mezzo piano.

From New York Times

He also does not employ much of a middle dynamic range — the “mezzo piano” to “mezzo forte” that, in piano playing, is the equivalent of a conversational tone of voice.

From Washington Post