Leise

As Printed on a Score

Printed above a vocal line or piano piece as a heading (Leise), or within longer directions (“Langsam und sehr leise”, “Durchaus leise zu halten”). Where it stands in for p it governs until the next dynamic; editions often print p beside it.

How Composers Use It

Leise means soft, but as a heading it sets an atmosphere — hushed, close, private — more than a measured level. Schumann uses it to head songs and piano pieces whose whole texture should stay veiled. Use p and pp for exact levels and leise when softness is the character of the piece; immer leise or durchaus leise stops it creeping up.

Example

Schumann, Dichterliebe, Op. 48, “Ich hab’ im Traum geweinet”: the song’s only heading is “Leise”, with p.

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