Sforzando
Sforzando, often written sfz, asks for a sudden, forceful emphasis on one note or chord. Its impact is local: it does not automatically make every later note loud.
- Symbol: sfz
- sudden emphasis
- local event
Where do you see sfz?
The letters sit near the affected note or chord. Related abbreviations such as sf can appear, so read the local notation rather than assuming every score uses one spelling. The printed note still controls pitch and duration; sfz changes its weight.
Is it the same as an accent?
An Accent sign > also highlights one note. Sforzando commonly asks for a more sudden dynamic impact. There is no fixed volume ratio between them. Try both markings on the same note while keeping the rest of the phrase steady.
What happens after the marked note?
Look for a following dynamic. If there is none, do not treat sfz as a permanent replacement for the earlier level. In a p, sfz, p exercise, the strong event is a peak followed by a return to quiet. If a new f is printed, follow that instead.
Practice the return
Play C-D-E-F with sfz on E. Make the F match the opening C and D in volume. If F stays loud, you have turned a one-note event into a passage-wide change.