Fortissimo
Fortissimo means very loudly and is written ff. It is stronger than f within a piece, but it does not specify a decibel value or ask you to damage the quality of the sound.
- Symbol: ff
- very loud
- relative level
Where does ff sit in the dynamic range?
The familiar order from softer to louder is pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff. That order is useful, but the steps are not mathematically equal. A flute and a piano playing ff will produce different physical loudness while both follow their own score.
Is ff “as hard as possible”?
No. Excess force can spoil tone, pitch or timing. Read the score's style and ensemble balance. If the next phrase is even more emphatic, or another instrument needs to remain audible, preserve control and room for contrast.
Does it change articulation?
An ff passage can still be legato, staccato or accented. The dynamic tells you a level; the articulation tells you how the notes connect or separate. Try the same four loud notes once connected and once detached to hear the two layers independently.
Practice a clear shift
Play four notes at Forte (f), then four at ff without pausing. Ask a listener to identify the first ff note. If the difference is unclear, first make f a sustainable strong level, then grow into ff.