Staccato
A staccato dot asks you to separate a note from the next one. The gap makes the line sound detached, while the notated rhythm still tells you when each note begins.
- dot above or below
- detached sound
- no fixed fraction of duration
Where is the dot?
A small dot sits close to a notehead, above or below the staff. Do not confuse it with a dotted note, whose dot is printed to the right of the notehead and increases its written duration. Position changes the meaning completely.
How short should you play?
There is no universal “half-length” rule. In a slow, gentle phrase the gap may be small; in a quick, playful one it may be crisp. The key instruction is separation. Keep the pulse steady and choose a release that matches the musical context and instrument.
How is this different from tenuto?
Tenuto commonly asks for a note's full length or weight. Staccato makes it detached. Alternate both on the same four notes, then check whether a listener can hear which set had gaps.
Practice without rushing
Count “one, two, three, four” evenly while playing four staccato notes. Let the silence live inside each beat rather than shortening the whole measure. If the last note arrives early, reset the count and try again.