Articulation Symbols

Understanding articulation symbols is key to expressing music effectively. These symbols guide how notes should be played, shaping the overall feel and emotion of a piece. Mastering them enhances your musicianship and brings your performances to life.

1. Staccato

   • Indicates a note should be played short and detached.
   • Notated with a dot above or below the note head.
   • Creates a light, bouncy feel in the music.

2. Legato

   • Signifies that notes should be played smoothly and connected.
   • Often notated with a curved line connecting the notes.
   • Enhances the lyrical quality of a musical phrase.

3. Accent

   • Marks a note to be played with emphasis or stress.
   • Notated with a symbol (>) above or below the note.
   • Adds dynamic contrast and expression to the music.

4. Tenuto

   • Indicates that a note should be held for its full value.
   • Notated with a horizontal line above or below the note.
   • Encourages a sustained and expressive sound.

5. Marcato

   • Suggests a note should be played with a strong accent and slightly detached.
   • Notated with a symbol (^) above or below the note.
   • Creates a bold and pronounced effect in the music.

6. Slur

   • Indicates that a series of notes should be played smoothly without separation.
   • Notated with a curved line connecting the notes.
   • Essential for conveying musical phrases and expressions.

7. Tie

   • Connects two notes of the same pitch, indicating they should be played as one sustained note.
   • Notated with a curved line between the notes.
   • Helps to extend the duration of a note beyond its normal value.

8. Portato

   • Suggests a style that is between staccato and legato, with slight separation but still smooth.
   • Notated with a dot above or below the note, often combined with a slur.
   • Adds a nuanced articulation to the performance.

9. Fermata

   • Indicates that a note or rest should be held longer than its usual duration.
   • Notated with a symbol (a dot with a semicircle above it).
   • Provides a moment of pause and emphasis in the music.

10. Staccatissimo

    • Denotes an even shorter and more detached articulation than staccato.
    • Notated with a small wedge above or below the note.
    • Creates a very crisp and sharp sound, enhancing rhythmic clarity.