Description
Music notation can show a wide variety of other qualities the notes in a piece should have. Some of these other qualities to consider are issues related to phrasing & timbre.
For example, placing little points or dots above or below notes indicates that the notes are to be played staccato or "sharply & disconnected". Alternately placing a curving arc (or slur marking or literally a "phrase" marking) over several notes places them ins group together and indicates the notes are to played legato or "smoothly & connected."
For video (with audio!) demonstrations of the differences between legato and staccato phrasing look at this tutorial Legato An Introduction.
Lesson Info
