I have two pieces of music (on facing pages in a book) one of which uses "sf" and the other "sfz". My music dictionary seems to lump them, only distiguishing them from "sfp". Does anyone have a distinction which the arranger might have been thinking of?
If they are the same in effect, would it be improper to replace "sf" (not included in NWC2) with "sfz"?
"sf" and "sfz" are abbreviations of the term "sforzando" (I'm not so sure I spelt that right). I think it has something to do with sudden loudness.
My musical dictionary says:
Sforzando: Forced, accented. Abbreviated sf or sfz.
As far as "sfp" goes, it means play it forte but suddenly piano. Sometimes I see things like "sffp" or "sfffpp". They're usually used with notes of longer duration.
Sorry, if this was not helpful.
There is a description at: https://forum.noteworthycomposer.com/?topic=4880