Articulation
Staccato
- Looks like
- A dot above or below the notehead
- Asks for
- Indicates a detached articulation; the precise length depends on context.
Staccatissimo
- Looks like
- Wedge or short stroke
- Asks for
- Requests a particularly short or sharply detached note.
Tenuto
- Looks like
- Short horizontal line
- Asks for
- Often calls for full value or gentle emphasis; meaning varies with style.
Accent
- Looks like
- A wedge (>) above or below the note
- Asks for
- Emphasizes the onset of a note relative to its surroundings.
Marcato
- Looks like
- A vertical wedge (^) above the note
- Asks for
- Calls for a strong, clearly marked attack.
Legato slur
- Looks like
- Curved line across pitches
- Asks for
- Connects notes smoothly; in strings and winds it may also guide technique.
Portato
- Looks like
- Dots under slur
- Asks for
- Indicates gently separated notes within a connected phrase.
Breath mark
- Looks like
- A comma above the staff
- Asks for
- Indicates a brief breath or separation at a musical point.
Caesura
- Looks like
- A pair of slanted lines (//) through the top of the staff
- Asks for
- Calls for a break in the musical flow, with length determined by context.
Fermata
- Looks like
- An arc over a dot
- Asks for
- Extends a note, rest, or pause beyond its measured value.
Up-bow
- Looks like
- A V above the note
- Asks for
- Directs a string player to use an up-bow stroke.
Down-bow
- Looks like
- A squared bracket shape, open at the bottom
- Asks for
- Directs a string player to use a down-bow stroke.
Pizzicato
- Looks like
- Written pizz.
- Asks for
- Directs a bowed-string player to pluck the strings.
Arco
- Looks like
- Written arco
- Asks for
- Directs a string player to resume using the bow.
Con sordino
- Looks like
- Written con sord.
- Asks for
- Directs the performer to use a mute where applicable.
Senza sordino
- Looks like
- Written senza sord.
- Asks for
- Directs the performer to remove the mute where applicable.
Sul ponticello
- Looks like
- Written sul pont.
- Asks for
- Directs bowed strings to play near the bridge for a distinctive timbre.
Sul tasto
- Looks like
- Written sul tasto
- Asks for
- Directs bowed strings to play over the fingerboard for a softer timbre.
Col legno
- Looks like
- Written col legno
- Asks for
- Directs bowed strings to use the wood of the bow; battuto and tratto differ.
Harmonic notehead
- Looks like
- Diamond notehead
- Asks for
- Often indicates a natural or artificial harmonic, depending on notation.
Other chapters: Staff and Clefs · Pitch and Accidentals · Note Values and Rests · Meter and Grouping · Dynamics and Expression · Tempo and Navigation · Ornaments · Keyboard, Guitar and Ensemble · Jazz and Contemporary
Engraving styles differ between publishers and periods, and some signs change meaning with style or instrument.
Open the Music Symbols Atlas →