Poco forte

As Printed on a Score

Printed below the staff, as words or as poco f beside the dynamic letter, sometimes joined to an articulation (poco forte ben marc.). It sets a level like any dynamic and lasts until the next one. Brahms prints it often where another composer might write mf.

Abbreviations: poco f

How Composers Use It

Poco forte asks for a forte quality — fuller tone, firmer attack — at somewhat less than full strength, which is not quite the same as mf: it keeps the character of forte while capping its size. Use it when a line must sound decided but not dominate, such as an inner voice or a theme returning with quiet assurance. Because it names a level, poco f after ff is a drop and after p a rise.

Example

Brahms, Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73, first movement, clarinets 1 and 2, m. 412: “poco forte”, printed with an f two bars after the clarinets’ ff.

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