How Do You Spell SFZ?
The acronym SFZ stands for sforzando, an Italian musical term that means a sudden, emphatic accent. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /sfɔrtˈzandɔ/. It is composed of two parts: "sforzato," meaning "forced," and "zando," meaning "going." When a musician sees "SFZ" written in their sheet music, they know to play the note with a sudden, sharp accent. This technique adds dramatic tension and excitement to the music, creating a powerful effect.
