Examples of articulations. From left to right: staccato, staccatissimo, martellato, marcato, tenuto.

Articulations from legato to staccatissimo

In music, articulation refers to the direction or performance technique which affects the transition or continuity on single note or between multiple notes or sounds. Music is an Art form in which the medium is Sound organized in Time. In Music, the term note has two primary meanings 1 a sign used in Musical notation to represent the relative duration and pitch of a Sound; Sound' is Vibration transmitted through a Solid, Liquid, or Gas; particularly sound means those vibrations composed of Frequencies

There are many different forms of articulation, each having a different effect on how the note is played. Some articulation marks include the slur, phrase mark, staccato, staccatissimo, accent, sforzando, rinforzando, and legato. A slur is a symbol in Western Musical notation indicating that the notes it embraces are to be played without separation In Medieval music notation, a ligature is a graphic symbol that represents two or more notes that are written and sung in a single gesture and on a single syllable In Musical notation, the Italian word staccato (literally detached, plural staccatos or staccati) indicates that notes In Musical notation, staccatissimo (plural staccatissimos or staccatissimi) indicates that the notes are to be played extremely separated and distinct In Music, an accent is an emphasis placed on a particular note, either as a result of its context or specifically indicated by an accent mark. In Music, dynamics normally refers to the volume of a Sound or note, but can also refer to every aspect of the execution of a given piece either stylistic In Music, dynamics normally refers to the volume of a Sound or note, but can also refer to every aspect of the execution of a given piece either stylistic In Musical notation the Italian word legato (literally meaning "tied together" indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly Each articulation is represented by a different symbol placed above or below the note (depending on its position on the staff).

Woodwind and brass instruments generally articulate by tonguing, the use of the tongue to break the airflow into the instrument. Types of woodwind instruments See also List of woodwind instruments Single-reed instruments use a reed, which is a thin cut A brass instrument is a Musical instrument whose tone is produced by vibration of the lips as the player blows into a tubular Resonator. Tonguing is when a musician playing a wind instrument uses the tongue on the reed or mouthpiece to enunciate different notes Stringed instruments use different bowing techniques to achieve different articulations. A string instrument (or stringed instrument) is a Musical instrument that produces Sound by means of Vibrating strings In the Hornbostel-Sachs In Music, a bow is moved across some part of a Musical instrument, causing Vibration which the instrument emits as Sound.

When staccato marks are combined with a slur, the result is portato, also known as articulated legato. Portato in music denotes Slurred Staccato and is notated by adding a slur to staccato notes Tenuto markings under a slur are called (for bowed strings) hook bows. This name is also less commonly applied to staccato or martellato (martelé) markings.

Audio examples

Bassoon articulations

A bassoon played staccato, legato, legato + vibrato, and slurred. The bassoon is a Woodwind instrument in the Double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and Tenor registers and occasionally In Musical notation, the Italian word staccato (literally detached, plural staccatos or staccati) indicates that notes In Musical notation the Italian word legato (literally meaning "tied together" indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly Vibrato is a musical effect produced in singing and on musical instruments by a regular pulsating change of pitch, and is used to add expression and vocal-like qualities to A slur is a symbol in Western Musical notation indicating that the notes it embraces are to be played without separation

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References

• Cooper, Helen (1985). Basic Guide to How to Read Music. ISBN 0-399-51122-9.