


Please note that a staccato dot goes above or below the note – this is very different to dotted rhythms where the dot is written after the note and extends the note length by 50%. The exact extent to which the performer will shorten the note depends on a number of factors, such as musical context, genre and simply personal preference. So, in the following example you can see a staccato on the 1st crotchet:Īs a result, the performer would actually shorten the crotchet to possibly the length of a quaver. If you see a dot above/below a note then this means that the note should not be held for its complete duration – it should be shortened slightly to detach it from its neighbour. The music definition of Staccato literally means “short, detached” and is shown by a dot written above or below the note. Staccato is one of the most common musical articulations. Let’s have a look at the most common articulation markings you will come across in music. Musical articulations are shown by the use of a wide range of articulation markings. In many ways, articulations are like musical punctuation. It covers techniques such as staccato, legato, slurs, pauses and ornaments, including trills, appoggiaturas and acciaccaturas. The music definition of articulation is the way in which a specific note or group of notes should be performed beyond the basics of pitch, duration and dynamic.
