Piano Technique: Articulations (Legato, Staccato, Portato)

piano-ology-technique-articulations-featured

Let’s explore the expressive potential of different articulations by playing the same phrase using three different “touches” — legato, staccato, and portato

Legato, indicated by sweeping curved line that connects the notes, means to play a string of notes so that they sound smoothly connected and flowing, as if they were all sung with a single breathe. Furthermore, it is not enough for the notes to simply sound “connected”. They must also sound as if they are played with the same character.

Legato

Staccato, indicated by a dot above or below the note head, means to play a string of notes in a short, crisp manner, unconnected and very distinct from each other, as if they are sung with separate quick, impulsive breaths. As such, a staccato phrase should be played as a series of individual impulses superimposed on a larger unifying impulse.

Staccato

Portato, indicated as shown below, means to play a string of notes in a slightly unconnected manner. Portato is not as short and sharp as staccato. The duration of each note is typically shortened only slightly from its full written value. A portato phrase should be played as a series of distinct individual impulses superimposed on a larger unifying impulse.

Portato

Of course, one can mix and match articulations in order to achieve a variety of musical effects. For example, here is a mix of legato and staccato

Mixed Articulations

learn more… Piano Technique