articulation marks
Symbols placed above or below notes to indicate how they should be attacked, sustained, and released
In Depth
The main articulation marks are: staccato (dot, short and detached), tenuto (line, held full value), accent (wedge, emphasised attack), marcato (caret, strong accent), staccatissimo (wedge/triangle, very short), and portato (dots under a slur, gently separated). These symbols modify the note's envelope — its attack, sustain, and decay. Correct articulation is as important as correct pitch and rhythm; it shapes the music's character and makes the difference between a mechanical and a musical performance.
The precise meaning of articulation marks has changed over time — a staccato dot in Mozart means something quite different from a staccato dot in Bartók.