Accents

Accents are used in music as a way of emphasising certain notes, rhythms, beats or lyrics, giving it a unique and distinct character. Accents can add variety and contrast to music, creating different dynamics (loudness) or emotions. Below is a description of the more common accents:

Accent

Accent or emphasis the note: An accent indicates that a note should be played louder, or with a harder attack than surrounding unaccented notes. It may appear on notes of any duration.

Fermata

A fermata indicates that a note, chord, or rest is sustained longer than its written value. It will usually appear on all parts in an ensemble. The fermata is held for as long as the performer or conductor desires.

Marcato

A marcato marking indicates that the note should be played louder or more forcefully than a note with a regular accent mark.

Staccatto

This indicates that the note should be played shorter than notated, usually half the value, leaving the rest of the metric value silent. Staccato marks may appear on notes of any value, shortening their performed duration without speeding up the music.

Staccatissimo

Staccatissimo – also known as Spiccato. This indicates that the note should be played even shorter than staccato. It is usually applied to quarter notes or shorter notes. In the past this marking’s meaning was more ambiguous—it was sometimes used interchangeably with staccato and sometimes indicated an accent and not a shortened note. These usages are now almost defunct but still appear in some scores. For string instruments this indicates a bowing technique in which the bow bounces lightly upon the string.

Tenuto

A Tenuto symbol indicates that the note should be played at its full value, or slightly longer (Legatto). It can also indicate a degree of emphasis, especially when combined with dynamic markings to indicate a change in loudness, or combined with a staccato dot to indicate a slight detachment