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Dynamics

Mezzo forte (mf)

Play moderately loudly: present and full without reaching forte.

See it in the score

mf at the Minuet's opening

The opening establishes a clear, confident dance level before later f and p contrasts.

Open measure 1 in the piece
mf at the Minuet's opening From Minuet in G Major by J.S. Bach (attrib.; BWV Anh. 114, likely Christian Petzold), source measure 1.

Passage playback follows the literal encoded notes, rhythm, tempo, and written directions in this excerpt. It is a study aid, not a model of a pianist's touch, phrasing, ornament realization, or pedal technique.

In a sentence

Play moderately loudly: present and full without reaching forte.

Mezzo forte is the middle-loud member of the family. It commonly provides a confident default from which a phrase can retreat or intensify.

The mark does not erase balance within the texture. Melody, bass, and accompaniment can have different prominence while the passage as a whole reads as mf.