UNIT 9: Articulation in Music.

Articulation: 

How specific notes or passages are played or sung. 

STACCATO

In staff music staccato is represented by a dot located above or below a note. Staccato is to play a musical note or phrase shorter and louder than its original value. 

LEGATO

Legato: (Italian term) Slur (English term). 

A form of musical articulation where you blend notes together. It is the opposite of staccato. On sheet music “legato” is indicated by a curve above or below a series of notes or by the word itself. 

ACCENT

A symbol placed above or below a note that indicates it is to be played with a specific intensity or character. Accentuate is to give a specific intensity to a particular musical note.