smorzando (smorz.)

Definition: The Italian musical command smorzando (often abbreviated smorz.) is an indication to gradually slow down and soften the notes until nothing is heard; a diminuendo that fades very slowly, often accompanied by a very gradual ritardando.


Not to be confused with sforzando (sfz).

Also Known As:

• morendo; al niente (It)
• en amortissant; en mourant (Fr)
• bis zum Nichts; verlöschend (Ger)

Pronunciation: smort-zahn'-doh


More Italian Musical Terms:

• allegretto
• staccato
• (rfz) rinforzando
• subito
• (rall.) rallentando

Beginner Piano Lessons
• Memorize the Notes of the Grand Staff
• Left Hand Piano Fingering
• How to Play Dotted Notes
• Musical Quizzes!

Piano Chords With Fingering
• Chord Types & Their Abbreviations
• Easy Bass Piano Chords
• Piano Chord Fingering
• Diminished Chords & "Dissonance"

Musical Glossaries
• Italian Musical Glossary
• Beginner Piano Glossary
• German Music Terms
• Musical Terms A – Z

Piano Terms & Musical Symbols
• Reading Musical Rests & Pauses
• Accidentals & Double-Accidentals
• Note Accents & Articulation Marks
• Mastering Segno & Coda Repeats

Piano Care
• Safely Whiten Piano Keys
• When to Tune a Piano
• 6 Easy-to-Spot Signs of Piano Damage
• Ideal Temperature & Humidity Levels for Piano Rooms



Tempo Commands:
 ▪ largo
 ▪ rhythm dot
 ▪ (accel.) accelerando
 ▪ vivace
 ▪ tempo giusto

Musical Articulation:
 ▪ staccato
 ▪ tie
 ▪ (rfz) rinforzando
 ▪ arpeggiato
 ▪ accentato

Volume & Dynamics:
 ▪ (mf) mezzo forte
 ▪ (sfz) sforzando
 ▪ diminuendo
 ▪ al niente
 ▪ (fp) fortepiano

French Musical Glossary:
 ▪ en ralentissant
 ▪ indication de mouvement
 ▪ à l’aise
 ▪ mi-doux
 ▪ retenu