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In music
Music

Music is an art form whose media is sound organized in time. Common elements of music are pitch , rhythm , dynamics , and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture ....
, articulation refers to the direction or performance technique which affects the transition or continuity on single note or between multiple notes or sound
Sound

Sound is vibration transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a threshold of hearing to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations....
s.

There are many different kinds of articulation, each having a different effect on how the note is played. Some articulation marks include the slur
Slur (music)

A slur is a symbol in Western musical notation indicating that the notes it embraces are to be played without separation. This implies legato articulation, and in music for bow ed string instruments, it also indicates the notes should be played in one bow; and in music for wind instruments, that the notes should be played without using the to...
, phrase mark
Ligature (music)

In 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, primarily in use ca....
, staccato
Staccato

In musical notation, the Italian language word staccato indicates that note are separated in a detached and distinctly separate manner or short and separated, with silence making up the latter part of the time allocated to each note....
, staccatissimo
Staccatissimo

In musical notation, staccatissimo indicates that the notes are to be played extremely separated and distinct, a superlative staccato. This can be notated with little pikes over or under the notes, depending on stem direction, as in this example from Bruckner's Symphony No....
, accent
Accent (music)

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....
, sforzando
Dynamics (music)

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 or functional ....
, rinforzando
Dynamics (music)

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 or functional ....
, and legato
Legato

In musical notation the Italian word legato indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly. That is, in transitioning from note to note, there should be no intervening silence....
. Each articulation is represented by a different symbol placed above or below the note (depending on its position on the staff).

Woodwind and brass
Brass instrument

A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose tone is produced by vibration of the lips as the player blows into a tubular resonator. They are also called labrosones, literally meaning "lip-vibrated instruments" ....
 instruments generally articulate by tonguing
Tonguing

Tonguing is when a musician playing a wind instrument uses the tongue on the reed or mouthpiece to enunciate different notes. A silent "tu" is made when the tongue strikes the reed or roof of the mouth causing a slight breach in the air flow through the instrument....
, the use of the tongue to break the airflow into the instrument.






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Encyclopedia


In music
Music

Music is an art form whose media is sound organized in time. Common elements of music are pitch , rhythm , dynamics , and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture ....
, articulation refers to the direction or performance technique which affects the transition or continuity on single note or between multiple notes or sound
Sound

Sound is vibration transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a threshold of hearing to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations....
s.

There are many different kinds of articulation, each having a different effect on how the note is played. Some articulation marks include the slur
Slur (music)

A slur is a symbol in Western musical notation indicating that the notes it embraces are to be played without separation. This implies legato articulation, and in music for bow ed string instruments, it also indicates the notes should be played in one bow; and in music for wind instruments, that the notes should be played without using the to...
, phrase mark
Ligature (music)

In 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, primarily in use ca....
, staccato
Staccato

In musical notation, the Italian language word staccato indicates that note are separated in a detached and distinctly separate manner or short and separated, with silence making up the latter part of the time allocated to each note....
, staccatissimo
Staccatissimo

In musical notation, staccatissimo indicates that the notes are to be played extremely separated and distinct, a superlative staccato. This can be notated with little pikes over or under the notes, depending on stem direction, as in this example from Bruckner's Symphony No....
, accent
Accent (music)

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....
, sforzando
Dynamics (music)

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 or functional ....
, rinforzando
Dynamics (music)

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 or functional ....
, and legato
Legato

In musical notation the Italian word legato indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly. That is, in transitioning from note to note, there should be no intervening silence....
. Each articulation is represented by a different symbol placed above or below the note (depending on its position on the staff).

Woodwind and brass
Brass instrument

A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose tone is produced by vibration of the lips as the player blows into a tubular resonator. They are also called labrosones, literally meaning "lip-vibrated instruments" ....
 instruments generally articulate by tonguing
Tonguing

Tonguing is when a musician playing a wind instrument uses the tongue on the reed or mouthpiece to enunciate different notes. A silent "tu" is made when the tongue strikes the reed or roof of the mouth causing a slight breach in the air flow through the instrument....
, the use of the tongue to break the airflow into the instrument. Stringed instruments use different bowing
Bow (music)

In music, a bow is moved across some part of a musical instrument, causing vibration which the instrument emits as sound. The vast majority of bows are used with string instruments, although some bows are used with musical saws and other bowed idiophones....
 techniques to achieve different articulations.

When staccato marks are combined with a slur, the result is portato
Portato

Portato in music denotes slurred staccato and is notated by adding a slur to staccato notes.Portato is actually articulated legato, where the notes are played almost legato....
, also known as articulated legato. 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


Bibliography

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