In musical notation, what does espressivo indicate?

• A. Play loudly
• B. Play with expression
• C. Play legato
• D. Play softly

Answer: (B)

Espressivo asks you to play with expression. It’s a mood marking that tells you to shape the melodic line with feeling—singing, lyrical, and expressive in character. Instead of prescribing a specific volume, it guides how the line should come alive: the phrasing, shaping of the breath, and tonal color to convey emotion. It can involve subtle dynamic shading, rubato-like flexibility, and a musical line that “sings,” but it isn’t a direct instruction to play loudly or softly like a dynamic marking, nor is it solely about smoothness of connection. It’s about the expressive quality of the music as you perform it.