smorzando (smorz.)

Definition: The Italian musical command smorzando (often abbreviated smorz.) is an indication to gradually slow down and soften the notes until nothing is heard; a diminuendo that fades very slowly, often accompanied by a very gradual ritardando.


Not to be confused with sforzando (sfz).

 

Also Known As:

• morendo; al niente (It)
• en amortissant; en mourant (Fr)
• bis zum Nichts; verlöschend (Ger)
• 
   

Pronunciation: smort-zahn'-doh


More Italian Musical Terms:

• allegretto

• staccato
• (rfz) rinforzando
• subito
• (rall.) rallentando
• 
   

Beginner Piano Lessons

• Memorize the Notes of the Grand Staff
• Left Hand Piano Fingering
• How to Play Dotted Notes
• Musical Quizzes!
 

Piano Chords With Fingering

• Chord Types & Their Abbreviations
• Easy Bass Piano Chords
• Piano Chord Fingering
• Diminished Chords & "Dissonance"
 

Musical Glossaries

• Italian Musical Glossary
• Beginner Piano Glossary
• German Music Terms
• Musical Terms A – Z
 

Piano Terms & Musical Symbols

• Reading Musical Rests & Pauses
• Accidentals & Double-Accidentals
• Note Accents & Articulation Marks
• Mastering Segno & Coda Repeats
 

Piano Care

• Safely Whiten Piano Keys
• When to Tune a Piano
• 6 Easy-to-Spot Signs of Piano Damage
• Ideal Temperature & Humidity Levels for Piano Rooms

Tempo Commands:

▪ largo
▪ rhythm dot
▪ (accel.) accelerando
▪ vivace
▪ tempo giusto
 

Musical Articulation:

▪ staccato
▪ tie
▪ (rfz) rinforzando
▪ arpeggiato
▪ accentato
 

Volume & Dynamics:

▪ (mf) mezzo forte
▪ (sfz) sforzando
▪ diminuendo
▪ al niente
▪ (fp) fortepiano
 

French Musical Glossary:

▪ en ralentissant
▪ indication de mouvement
▪ à l’aise
▪ mi-doux
▪ retenu