Sotto voce
Soft voice
"Sotto voce" is an Italian term that translates to "soft voice" in English, conveying the meanings of "quiet" or "softly spoken".
In music, "sotto voce" is used as an instruction to guide performers to sing or play in a subdued and hushed manner, often with a sense of intimacy or secrecy.
In other words, when interpreting "sotto voce", performers should aim to create a musical performance that is characterized by a gentle and subdued quality, allowing the audience to experience a musical ambiance that reflects the quiet and confidential nature of the passage being performed, as if it were whispered or spoken softly.
Example of Sotto voce
Ave verum corpus, K. 618
Common Expression Markings
| Musical Terms | Meaning |
| Affettuoso | Affectionate, expressive |
| Agitato | Agitated, restless |
| Animato | Animated, lively |
| Appassionato | Passionate, emotional |
| Brillante | Brilliant, shining |
| Brioso | Lively, vivacious |
| Bruscamente | Abruptly, suddenly |
| Buffo | Comic, humorous |
| Cantabile | Singing, song-like |
| Celere | Fast, quick |
| Colossale | Colossal, enormous |
| Comodo | Comfortable, convenient |
| Con amore | With love, affectionately |
| Con brio | With vigor, with spirit |
| Con forza | With force, with strength |
| Con fuoco | With fire, with passion |
| Con grazia | With grace, with elegance |
| Con moto | With motion, with movement |
| Con spirito | With spirit, with energy |
| Dolce | Sweet, gentle |
| Doloroso | Sorrowful, painful |
| Drammatico | Dramatic |
| Energico | Energetic, forceful |
| Espressivo | Expressive |
| Feroce | Fierce, ferocious |
| Festoso | Festive, joyful |
| Furioso | Furious, violent |
| Giocoso | Playful, joyful |
| Grandioso | Grand, majestic |
| Grazioso | Graceful |
| Lacrimoso | Tearful, weeping |
| Leggiero | Light |
| Maestoso | Majestic |
| Marcato | Emphasized, accentuated |
| Misterioso | Mysterious |
| Pesante | Heavy, weighty |
| Risoluto | Resolute, with determination |
| Scherzando | Jokingly, playful |
| Semplicemente | Simple, plainly |
| Slancio | Impulse, momentum |
| Solitario | Solitary, lonely |
| Sonore | Sonorous, resonant |
| Sostenuto | Sustained, steady |
| Sotto voce | Soft voice |
| Tranquillo | Calm, peaceful |
| Volante | Flying, light |