subito

Definition: The Italian musical term subito, which means “quickly; suddenly,” is used alongside other musical commands to make their effects immediate and abrupt.


Examples:

• subito fortissimo (sff), “suddenly very loud.”
• subito forzando / sforzando (sfz), “suddenly with force.”
• subito accelerando, “suddenly speed up the tempo.”

Also Known As:

• soudainement (Fr)
• plötzlich; sofort (Ger)

Pronunciation: suh-bee'-doh (U.S.), sue-bee'-ttoh

Common Misspellings: subitto, sobito







More Italian Musical Terms:

• (rfz) rinforzando
• maestoso
• accentato
• fermata
• (ff) fortissimo