Subito piano

As Printed on a Score

Printed below the staff as subito p, sub. p or p subito, exactly at the note where the drop happens; the new level stays until the next dynamic. It often follows a crescendo or f with no diminuendo between, so the reader must not taper beforehand.

Abbreviations: subito p, sub. p, sub. piano, p subito, p sub.

How Composers Use It

The surprise works only if the loud music runs right up to the change, so do not write a dim. or hairpin into the preceding bars. Beethoven’s crescendo that breaks off into p — usually written without the word subito — is the classic case; the word makes the intention explicit for players who would otherwise prepare it. After a loud tutti, allow for reverberation, which can swallow the first soft notes.

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