mics_ are in common use:

_Pianisissimo_ (_ppp_)--as softly as possible. (It will be
noted that this is a sort of hyper-superlative of _piano_.)

_Pianissimo_ (_pp_)--very softly. (The superlative of
_piano_.)

_Piano_ (_p_)--softly.

_Mezzo piano_ (_mp_)--medium softly.

_Mezzo forte_ (_mf_)--medium loudly.

_Forte_ (_f_)--loudly (lit. strong).

_Fortissimo_ (_ff_)--very loudly. (The superlative of
_forte_.)

_Fortisissimo_ (_fff_)--as loudly as possible.

The lack of a one-word comparative degree in the case of both
_piano_ and _forte_ seems to necessitate the hyper-superlative
degree as given above, but the practice of using four, or even
five _p_'s or _f_'s is not desirable.

121. The terms defined in Sec. 120 are often combined with others, as
_e.g._,

_Pianissimo possibile_--as softly as possible.

_Piano assai_--very softly.

_Fortissimo possibile_--as loudly as possible.

_Forte piano_ (_fp_)--loud, followed at once by soft.

As in the case of terms relating to tempo, the meaning of many other
expressions relating to _dynamics_ may easily be arrived at by recalling
the list of auxiliary terms quoted under Sec. 96.

122. The terms _sforzando_, _forzando_, _sforzato_ and _forzato_ all
indicate a strong accent on a single tone or chord. These words are
abbreviated as follows:--_sf_,_fz_, and _sfz_, the abbreviation being
placed directly above (sometimes below) the note or chord affected. The
signs [vertical accent symbol] and [horizontal accent symbol] are also
commonly used to indicate such an accent.

In interpreting these accent marks the student must bear in
mind again the fact that they have a relative rather than an
absolute meaning: the mark _sf_ occurring in the midst of a
_piano_ passage will indicate a much milder form of accent
than would the same mark occurring in the midst of a _forte_
passage.

123. The words _rinforzando_ and _rinforzato_ (abb.--_rinf._ and _rfz._)
mean literally _reinforced_, and are used to indicate a sudden increase
in power usually extending over an entire phrase or passage instead of
applying only to a single tone or chord as in the case of _sforzando_,
etc.

124. _Crescendo_ (abb.--_cresc._ or [crescendo symbol]) means a gradual
increase in power. It will be noted that this word does not mean _loud_,
nor does it mean a sudden inc