In musical notation, staccato indicates that notes are sounded in a detached and distinctly separate manner with their lengths shortened; that is, a short silence should be between the notes, without affecting the rhythm. Notes identified as "staccato" should be played or sung abruptly and short. Usually notated by a dot over the head of the note when the stem is downward, or by a dot below the head of the note when the stem is upward:
The term for the opposite articulation is legato.
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Last updated: 10-19-2005 21:55:53
