Looking at the music you see them written there,
What do they mean?
When ‘pp’ is seen quietness must be heard,
Then ‘p’ expects the music a little louder,
Where ‘mp’ is louder still but still quiet.
Then comes ‘mf’ where it becomes a normal sound
Raising to ‘f’ which is loud.
Up to ‘ff’ where loudness pervades all.
Without these signs music would fail,
And it’s emotion would be unheard.
There is another way of interpreting them,
Where how loud they can be played
Is all that matters.
‘pp’ becomes ‘pretty powerful’,
‘p’ is just powerful,
‘mp’ is mighty powerful.
‘mf’, mighty forceful,
Drowns out all others.
‘f’ is forceful which is only slightly softer,
‘ff’ becomes fairly forceful,
Which only drowns some of the players.
Music can be interpreted
In so many ways,
But without its sounds
My life would miss
The glory that it brings to me.