Articulation
27 terms
accent
A stress or emphasis placed on a particular note.
acciaccatura
A very short grace note played as quickly as possible before the main note.
acciaccatura explained
A very short ornamental note played as quickly as possible before the main note, taking no perceptible time
appoggiatura
A grace note that takes time from the following main note, creating a brief dissonance.
appoggiatura explained
An ornamental note that falls on the beat, creating a dissonance that resolves by step to the main note
arco
An instruction to return to bowing after a pizzicato passage.
articulation marks
Symbols placed above or below notes to indicate how they should be attacked, sustained, and released
detaché
Separate bow strokes for each note, but without the shortness of staccato.
fermata
A pause sign indicating a note or rest should be held beyond its normal value.
glissando
A continuous slide from one pitch to another.
grace note
A small ornamental note played quickly before or after a main note.
legato
Notes played smoothly and connected, with no gaps between them.
marcato
A strong accent; notes played with emphasis. Marked with a wedge symbol.
mordent
An ornament consisting of a rapid alternation between a note and the note immediately below it.
mordent explained
A rapid alternation between a note, the note below it, and a return to the original note
ornament
A decorative musical figure added to a melody, such as a trill, mordent, or turn.
pizzicato
A technique where strings are plucked with the fingers instead of bowed.
portato
Between legato and staccato; notes slightly separated but not as short as staccato.
slur
A curved line connecting two or more notes, indicating they should be played smoothly and connected.
spiccato
A bowing technique where the bow bounces lightly off the string.
staccatissimo
An extreme form of staccato, indicating notes should be played as short and detached as possible.
staccato
Notes played short and detached from each other. Marked with a dot above or below the note.
tenuto
A note held for its full value, sometimes slightly longer. Marked with a dash.
tremolo
Rapid repetition of a single note or alternation between two notes.
trill
A rapid alternation between a note and the note above it.
trill explained
A rapid alternation between a written note and the note above it, creating a shimmering ornamental effect
turn explained
An ornament consisting of four notes: the note above, the main note, the note below, and the main note again