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Storing your iTunes application on an SSD while keeping your library on an HDD will not drastically affect playback performance in most cases. However, the choice of storage can impact certain aspects of iTunes' performance:

Impact of Keeping the Library on an HDD
1. Playback:
   - Once a song or video starts playing, it is loaded into memory, so the speed of the library storage (SSD vs. HDD) has minimal impact during playback.
   - However, if the HDD is slow or heavily fragmented, you may notice slight delays in starting playback, especially for large files or high-resolution videos.

2. Search and Browsing:
   - Searching for items in your library may feel slightly slower if the database file is on an HDD, as HDDs have slower seek times compared to SSDs.

3. File Transfers and Syncing:
   - If you frequently add large media files to your library or sync to devices, using an HDD will result in slower read/write speeds compared to an SSD.

4. Library Management:
   - Operations like updating metadata, creating playlists, or managing large libraries can be slower on an HDD due to slower database access times.

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Benefits of Keeping the Library on an SSD
- Faster loading of the library database and metadata files.
- Quicker initiation of playback, especially for large files.
- Smoother performance during intensive tasks like importing, syncing, or batch processing.

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When Should You Consider Moving the Library to an SSD?
1. If Your Library is Small:
   - Moving to an SSD makes sense if your library is small enough to fit comfortably on your SSD while leaving room for other system and application needs.

2. If You Frequently Add or Sync Media:
   - SSDs significantly speed up the transfer of files, making them ideal if you often manage large data sets.

3. If You Notice Delays:
   - If your HDD shows signs of aging, with slow read/write speeds or frequent delays, consider moving the library to an SSD for better performance.

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Recommendation
- Large Libraries: If your library is very large and doesn’t fit on the SSD, it’s perfectly fine to leave it on the HDD. To improve performance, ensure the HDD is defragmented and not overly filled (aim for less than 80% capacity).
- Critical Playback or Management Speed: If speed is crucial, consider migrating the library to an SSD. Alternatively, you can move frequently used files or playlists to the SSD while keeping the bulk of the library on the HDD.

By balancing your storage needs and library size, you can achieve optimal performance without unnecessary upgrades.