What does p mean in a piece of keyboard music?

In musical notation, the letter "p" is an abbreviation for the Italian term "piano", which means "soft" or "quiet". It is used to indicate that a section or passage should be played softly. The opposite of "p" is "f" (forte), which means "loud".

The use of dynamics such as "p" and "f" helps to create musical expression and contrast in a piece of music. By varying the volume and intensity of different sections, composers can create different moods and emotions.