Lesson 3

Different forms

of articulation

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There are different ways to play sequences of notes. That's what we call articulation. In music we distinguish three basic forms of articulation:

Non legato: each individual note is tongued and separated. To play non-legato, sound the note about 80% of the length of the notated value.

Legato: indicated by a slur over or under two or more notes, which are smoothly connected together. Only the first note is tongued. To play legato, sound the note 100% of the length of the notated value.

Staccato: a note of shortened duration, detached, separated, indicated by a dot over or under the note. To play staccato, sound the note about 30% of the length of the notated value.

Now let's have some exercises to practice this three types of articulation:

 

Exercise 1: non-legato:

 

 

 

Exercise 2: legato:

 

 

 

Exercise 3: staccato:

 

 

 

Exercise 4: mixed: