A. What is ARTICULATION?
Articulation describes the length of each musical note and the silence, if any, between musical notes. The length of each note and the space between notes is dictated by the bow. Some notes are long and are played with much of the bow. Some notes are short and played with very little bow. Some notes are connected to the notes around them. Other notes are disconnected. When we describe the notes we play in this way- long notes and short notes, connected notes and disconnected notes- we are talking about articulation.
B. IMPORTANT TERMS
Legato: bow stroke that is totally connected, without interruption.
Staccato: bow stroke that features short, totally disconnected notes.
Détaché: broad, vigorous bow stroke in which notes of equal length are slightly disconnected
Martelé: A “hammered” stroke obtained by releasing each stroke forcefully and suddenly.
Spiccato: a bouncing stroke obtained by bouncing the bow back and forth.
Flautando: A “flutelike” sound produced by bowing over the fingerboard.
Ponticello: a pinched, nasal sound produced by bowing over the bridge.
Tremolo: mostly an orchestral effect created by moving the bow backand forth in extremely short and rapid strokes.
C. PRACTICE: Listen to each of the following clips carefully and then play along.
Legato: bow stroke that is totally connected, without interruption.
Staccato: bow stroke that features short, totally disconnected notes.
Détaché: broad, vigorous bow stroke in which notes of equal length areslightly disconnected
Martelé: A “hammered” stroke obtained by releasing each stroke forcefully and suddenly.
Spiccato: a bouncing stroke obtained by bouncing the bow back and forth.
Flautando: A “flutelike” sound produced by bowing over thefingerboard.
Ponticello: a pinched, nasal sound produced by bowing over the bridge.
Tremolo: mostly an orchestral effect created by moving the bow backb and forth in extremely short and rapid strokes
D. PRACTICE- Listen to each combination of articulations carefully and then play along.
• Legato + Staccato
• REVERSE: Staccato + Legato
• Staccato + Flautando
• REVERSE: Flautando + Staccato
• Legato + Spiccato
• REVERSE: Spiccato + Legato
• Martele + Legato
• REVERSE: Legato + Martele
