sotto
Play it quietly
Sotto is Italian for "under" or "below," appearing in English almost exclusively in the phrase sotto voce, meaning in a quiet voice or undertone.
Musicians encounter it in directions like sotto voce (sing softly) or occasionally as a standalone marking.
Outside these borrowed phrases, sotto has no independent English use.
Extremely quiet, in scores
- murmuredSpoke barely audibly
- hushedReduced to silence
- breathedInhaled and exhaled
- undertoneSubdued background quality
muted · softened · lowered · quiet · gentle · intimate · confidential · aside
Keyed percussion instrument
- dolceSoft, melodious instruction
- pianissimoExtremely quiet, in scores
- cantabileIn singing manner
- legatoUnbroken musical phrasing
Deliberately minimized in expression
- nuancedHaving fine distinctions
- implicitUnderstood without being stated
- tacitUnderstood without words
- unspokenNot verbally expressed
insinuated · suggestive · indirect · oblique · restrained · delicate · refined · low-key
Inclined to conceal
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
hidden · veiled · disguised · undercover · concealed · incognito · undetected · unseen
pianissimo
Extremely quiet, in scores
undertone · muted · softened · lowered · quiet · gentle · intimate · confidential · aside · inaudible
piano
Keyed percussion instrument
- dolceSoft, melodious instruction
- pianissimoExtremely quiet, in scores
- cantabileIn singing manner
legato · portamento · morendo
understated
Deliberately minimized in expression
unspoken · insinuated · suggestive · indirect · oblique · restrained · delicate · refined · low-key · unobtrusive
secretive
Inclined to conceal
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
stealthy · hidden · veiled · disguised · undercover · concealed · incognito · undetected · unseen · discreet