Part of our section on Musical Notation where we look at the elements of a music score.
This page follows on from our page on note values
The way notes are played is also indicated by articulation such as the dots above some of the notes in the sample music score at the top of the page on Music notation.
These are called staccato marks indicating that the notes should be shortened a little, leaving a small silent space before the next note.
Another articulation mark is the curved arc above the notes in the 1st time and 2nd time bars of the bass clef part. These indicate that the notes should played legato meaning smoothly and connected with no audible space between the notes.
Here are some articulation marks you might come across:
| Articulation mark | Name | What it does |
 | Staccato | Shortens the note a little, leaving a small silent space before the next note |
 | Tenuto | Play the note at its full value and a little louder to give emphasis |
 | Accent | Start the note a little louder with attack. A brass player does this with the tongue |
 | Marcato | Play louder with lots of attack and shorten the note |
 | Legato or Slur | Play the notes smoothly and connected with no audible space between them – also called a slur |
 | Pause | Play and hold the note for longer until the conductor or soloist indicates to stop or move on |
 | Glissando | A continuous glide from the 1st note to the 2nd through all pitches in between – see below |
 | Fall | A fast and short descending glissando down to an unspecified pitch |
 | Doit | A fast and short ascending glissando up to an unspecified pitch |
 | Tremelo | A rapidly repeated note |
 | Trill | A rapid alternation between the note and the next higher note – in this case E to F# in the key of G major |
A glissando, fall or doit can be played on a trombone by moving the slide while playing the notes. For example a descending glissando from C (1st position) to F# (7th position) etc.
On a valve brass instrument a glissando, fall or doit can be played either by rapidly playing through every semi-tone between the notes or by pressing the valves half way down and using the way you vibrate you lips (buzz) to achieve the effect.
Needless to say these are quite advanced techniques and need practice! You can find out more about these advanced techniques for brass instruments on the internet.
You can read about other articulation marks on wikipedia
Continue to explore this subject on our page about rests
Return to Musical Notation