sf     (subito forte ): suddenly loud

In the Baroque period, there were minimal dynamic markings in music scores.  

Beethoven (Classical period) is credited to insert a wide variety of dynamic articulations (eg sf, sfz, fp, rfz) into his compositions.  

I was teaching a masterclass at Shenzhen, China recently, at the invitation of a thoughtful music teacher, Mr Arkin Chong.  One of the students, Shao Shiqi, played a piece with several sf  markings.

The sound created by sf would see someone being startled.  This jolt would often be accompanied by an abrupt jerk from the whole body and arm (including the head).  Watch the short snippet by the young student who initiated this mannerism in her performance almost instantaneously after my explanation.  She was grinning with delight upon realizing how naturally and easily she could play the passage.

(Please click this link if you are unable to view the video above)

I will be releasing short snippets like this video and article each week.  My aim is to introduce concepts from different ideologies (it may be neurological, psychological, educational, mathematical, artistic, travelling, cooking and all sorts), to enable pianists to conjure a myriad of colourful and creative ideas and imaginations in their minds and understanding.  The effect: PIANISTS WILL BE PLAYING WITH INSPIRATION, beyond the printed notations.

If you have enjoyed this short sharing and would like to learn more, please SUBSCRIBE!

These are the next few articles scheduled to be released :

VOICING  –  bringing out the melody amidst other melodic lines
BE HAPPY  –  using neuroscience and positive psychology in learning music
MOTIF – short melodic figures

I look forward to sharing more in the next video.

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