Over the last few weeks, we’ve been exploring some of the more technical aspects of music. Last week we discussed musical phrasing, before that, we touched on time signature and tempo, key changes, chords and keys, and dynamics. This week we’re going to dive into yet another: articulation.
Whenever an actor takes the stage, he must know how to speak his lines in a way that best represents the meaning of the words. For example, if the scene is sad, like a death scene, the actor should speak with a sorrowful voice. It would be odd for them to speak in a bright cheerful voice while someone important to them dies, right? Another example might be acting the character of an obsolete or unsophisticated robot – maybe one who “st-t-tutters,” or speaks in “brok-ken sent-tences.”
When it comes to music, performers control sound in much the same way an actor controls the mood, atmosphere, and tone of their voice while delivering lines. But when a musician does it, it’s called articulation.
Before we dive in, check out this pair of videos on articulation to get a better idea of what we’re talking about.
Articulation & Phrasing with Graham Fitch
Right Hand Articulation – Strings by Mail Lessonettes | Gohar Vardanyan
Definition of Articulation in Music
Despite our actor example above, nailing down an exact definition of articulation in music can be difficult.
Wikipedia defines articulation as:
In music, articulation refers to the musical direction performance technique which affects the transition or continuity on a single note or between multiple notes or sounds.
There are many types of articulation, with each having a different effect on how the note is played. Some articulation marks include the slur, phrase mark, staccato, staccatissimo, accent, sforzando, rinforzando, and legato. Each articulation is represented by a different symbol placed above or below the note (depending on its position on the staff).
Another definition is that articulation refers to the way a single note, or a group of notes, should be performed. There are different notation marks to show articulation, some of which are only used for very specific instruments. One example of this is the sustaining pedal on a piano.
Other notations have more general use, for example, a dot over or under the head of a note means it should be played “staccato,” or a short as possible. A slur marking, which is a curved line written above or below the heads of a group of notes, indicates that these pitches should be played smoothly. Slurs can be found in vocal music as well as bowing or stringed instruments.
Categories of Musical Articulation
Although there are several different kinds of articulation, the vast majority of them will fall into three general categories:
- Dynamic Change: The articulations indicate a chance in volume compared to the notes that surround them.
- Length Change: Articulations that impact the length of a note can be used to either shorten or lengthen the note.
- Relationship Change: Although it’s true every articulation indicates a difference compared to the surrounding notes, some articulations impact the way a group of notes is played. One common relationship changing articulation include slurs, which form a group of legato notes that are linked together and played smoothly.
Types of Articulation
It’s hard to talk about articulation without first talking about the wide range of types of articulation used throughout music. A few of the basic or most common articulation markings are:
- Legato – Italian for “tied together,” legato indicates the musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected.
- Staccato – Meaning “detached” in Italian, staccato signifies a note of shortened length, separated from the note that may follow by silence.
- Slur – A slur is a symbol used in Western musical notation that indicated the notes it encompasses are to be played without separation. This implies a legato articulation.
- Phrase mark – When it comes to musical notation, a curved line is placed over two or more notes, indicating they should be performed in a single gesture. This usually, but not always, indicates legato.
- Accent – As accent is an emphasis put on a specific note, either as a result of its context, or specifically indicated by an actual accent mark.
- Sforzando – (Sometimes sforzato, or forzando, or forzato) This indicated a forceful accent and is abbreviated as sf, sfz, or fz.
Conclusion
So, after all those definitions, what is articulation in music? When you boil it all down, articulation is the way the sound is controlled for expressive effect, based on the music or the message the performer wants to convey. It can involve altering the duration, dynamic level (or volume), or tone colour (or timbre) of each note or sound. Therefore, you might hear musicians and composers speak of a legato articulation, meaning a smooth and connected sound – or a detached articulation, meaning a mix between legato and staccato.
Yet, how this is achieved is different depending on the instrument. Not only are articulations approached differently for different instruments, they can even sometimes have slightly different meanings for each instrument. Part of the reason for this is the simple fact that many instruments need a bit of technical finesse from unique sets of muscle groups in order to create the desired articulation.
For example, a brass or woodwind player will need to use their tongue to define articulations because they are able to effect the airflow to their instrument. String players, however, will need to refine the small muscles in their right hand, and large muscles in their left arm, as well as practice finger techniques for both hands in order to master articulation.
Mastering articulations for any instrument requires only two things: time and practice. Looking to add some lessons or ensemble play to that practice? Check out all the programs The Music Studio has to offer!