Staccato
adjective
Sounds or notes that are short, separate and clipped.
The staccato notes of the piano echoed throughout the concert hall.
Often appears as...
- staccato notes
- play staccato
Usage tips
Musical
adverb
A direction in musical notation indicating that notes should be performed in a short, detached and distinct manner.
The music should be played staccato.
Often appears as...
- play staccato
- staccato style
Usage tips
Musical
noun
A staccato way of playing or singing music indicates that the notes are short and separate, making the music sound sharp.
His play style is very staccato.
Often appears as...
- staccato style
- staccato rhythm
Usage tips
Musical
adjective
Short, abrupt or disjointed (of actions, speech or writing).
His staccato reply made it clear he was upset.
Often appears as...
- staccato speech
- staccato actions
adjective
Sounds or notes that are short, separate and clipped.
The staccato notes of the piano echoed throughout the concert hall.
Often appears as...
- staccato notes
- play staccato
Usage tips
Musical
adverb
A direction in musical notation indicating that notes should be performed in a short, detached and distinct manner.
The music should be played staccato.
Often appears as...
- play staccato
- staccato style
Usage tips
Musical
noun
A staccato way of playing or singing music indicates that the notes are short and separate, making the music sound sharp.
His play style is very staccato.
Often appears as...
- staccato style
- staccato rhythm
Usage tips
Musical
adjective
Short, abrupt or disjointed (of actions, speech or writing).
His staccato reply made it clear he was upset.
Often appears as...
- staccato speech
- staccato actions
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Emotion in Music
Staccato creates tension or excitement in music, not smooth or calm feelings.
The chase scene's music featured rapid staccato beats.
Pro Tip 2/3Visualizing Notes
Imagine staccato notes as dots jumping on the page; they're brief and energized.
She played the staccato melody as if each note bounced.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Legato
Staccato is the opposite of legato, where notes connect smoothly.
The violinist switched from legato to staccato for contrast.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotion in Music
Staccato creates tension or excitement in music, not smooth or calm feelings.
The chase scene's music featured rapid staccato beats.
Pro Tip 2/3Visualizing Notes
Imagine staccato notes as dots jumping on the page; they're brief and energized.
She played the staccato melody as if each note bounced.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Legato
Staccato is the opposite of legato, where notes connect smoothly.
The violinist switched from legato to staccato for contrast.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotion in Music
Staccato creates tension or excitement in music, not smooth or calm feelings.
The chase scene's music featured rapid staccato beats.
Pro Tip 2/3Visualizing Notes
Imagine staccato notes as dots jumping on the page; they're brief and energized.
She played the staccato melody as if each note bounced.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Legato
Staccato is the opposite of legato, where notes connect smoothly.
The violinist switched from legato to staccato for contrast.
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Video examples
Zainab Salbi: Women,...
of an exploded missile, so bright that nothing can protect your eyes from it. I grew up with the sounds of war -- the staccato sounds of gunfire,
Video examples
Zainab Salbi: Women,...
of an exploded missile, so bright that nothing can protect your eyes from it. I grew up with the sounds of war -- the staccato sounds of gunfire,
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Charles Bukowski
American Author
When I worked on a magazine, I learned that there are many, many writers writing that can't write at all; and they keep on writing all the cliches and bromides and 1890 plots, and poems about Spring and poems about Love, and poems they think are modern because they are done in slang or staccato style, or written with all the 'i's' small.
Quote examples
Paul Morrissey
American Director
Andy wasn't capable of any complicated thoughts or ideas. Ideas need a verb and a noun, a subject. Andy spoke in a kind of stumbling staccato. You had to finish sentences for him. So Andy operated through people who could do things for him. He wished things into happening, things he himself couldn't do.
Quote examples
John Prine
American Singer
If you listen to people talk, when people actually talk, they talk in melodies. If they get angry, their voice rises, and it's more of a staccato thing. When they ask for something, they're real sweet. It's all music.
Quote examples
Ben van Berkel
Dutch Architect
That's what I love about Chicago... It is the staccato aspect of the skyscrapers. But the ground is very loose, very relaxed. It makes Chicago far more pleasant than other cities.
Quote examples
Holly Hunter
American Actress
The rhythm of my career has always been very static, staccato and then silent, and then a lot of work, and then none.
Quote examples
Victoria Arlen
American Journalist
The traditional tango is really staccato, but with the Argentine tango, you have to be really sexy and saucy.
Quote examples
Dick Dale
American Musician
I thought of Gene Krupa's drumming, his staccato drumming. I went and put 'Misirlou' to that rhythm.
Quote examples
Charles Bukowski
American Author
When I worked on a magazine, I learned that there are many, many writers writing that can't write at all; and they keep on writing all the cliches and bromides and 1890 plots, and poems about Spring and poems about Love, and poems they think are modern because they are done in slang or staccato style, or written with all the 'i's' small.
Quote examples
Paul Morrissey
American Director
Andy wasn't capable of any complicated thoughts or ideas. Ideas need a verb and a noun, a subject. Andy spoke in a kind of stumbling staccato. You had to finish sentences for him. So Andy operated through people who could do things for him. He wished things into happening, things he himself couldn't do.
Quote examples
John Prine
American Singer
If you listen to people talk, when people actually talk, they talk in melodies. If they get angry, their voice rises, and it's more of a staccato thing. When they ask for something, they're real sweet. It's all music.
Quote examples
Ben van Berkel
Dutch Architect
That's what I love about Chicago... It is the staccato aspect of the skyscrapers. But the ground is very loose, very relaxed. It makes Chicago far more pleasant than other cities.
Quote examples
Holly Hunter
American Actress
The rhythm of my career has always been very static, staccato and then silent, and then a lot of work, and then none.
Quote examples
Victoria Arlen
American Journalist
The traditional tango is really staccato, but with the Argentine tango, you have to be really sexy and saucy.
Quote examples
Dick Dale
American Musician
I thought of Gene Krupa's drumming, his staccato drumming. I went and put 'Misirlou' to that rhythm.
Example 1 of 7
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