Articulation Markings
Symbols placed above or below notes to indicate how they should be attacked, sustained, or released.
Category
notation
Pronunciation
/ɑːˌtɪkjʊˈleɪʃən ˈmɑːkɪŋz/
Origin
Latin (articulatio)
Length
182 words · 1 min read
About Articulation Markings
Articulation markings are the notation symbols that tell performers exactly how to shape each note's beginning, duration, and ending. The most common markings include the staccato dot (short and detached), the tenuto line (held for full value), the accent (extra emphasis on the attack), the marcato wedge (a stronger accent), and the fermata (hold beyond written value).
More notation terms
Rest
View all notationterms →A notated period of silence of a specified duration.
ScoreA written document showing all parts of a musical composition aligned vertically on the page
StaffThe set of five horizontal lines and four spaces on which musical notes are written.
Tempo MarkingA word or phrase placed at the beginning of a piece or section indicating the speed at which it should be performed.
TieA curved line joining two adjacent notes of the same pitch, combining their durations into a single sustained sound.
See Also
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →