staccato

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A term used in music to describe abrupt sounds that are set apart as opposed to smoothly integrated or sustained sounds, thereby creating a style of singing or playing that is marked by short, disconnected, and often quickly played notes. In musical annotation, the staccato note is recognized by the placement of a small dot above or beneath the note, depending on the cleff, to indicate the quick lifting sound the playing of the note should register.

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"Staccato," graphic by Radivoj Lazic is licensed under CC BY-SA.

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