What is STACCATO?

LISTEN Audio Instructions

00:00

Target age range: Grades K-3

Staccato means short, separate musical sounds. Experience staccato through movement by hopping like bunnies in this music lesson. For grades K-3.

1. Start off by trying to do the Bunny Hop, a dance from the 1950's:

2. In music, there's a special word for the way notes connect to each other: articulation. Practice saying that word a few times: ar-tic-u-la-tion. When we hear short, separated musical sounds, we call that kind of articulation staccato (stuh-CAH-toe.) Try saying that word a few times. Staccato sounds can sound a little like hopping bunnies.

Musical notes with staccato markings — Wikimedia Commons

3. When musicians see a dot over or under a note, they know to play that note staccato.

4. See if you can respond through movement to a mix of different kinds of articulation. In this piece by Ruth Crawford Seeger, you will hear staccato and legato (or smooth) articulation, in an ABA pattern. Hop like a bunny when you hear staccato sounds. Glide like a graceful ice skater when you hear legato sounds.

5. Listen to this music, by Antonio Vivaldi. Do you notice that one musician is playing a smooth, legato melody, while the others are playing a staccato accompaniment underneath?

6. Quiz yourself: Is the music you hear mostly staccato, or mostly legato?

LISTEN Carnival of the Animals VI. Kangaroos
Camille Saint-Saëns
I Musici de Montréal; Yuli Turovsky, conductor

00:00

Camille Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals VI. Kangaroos I Musici de Montreal; Yuli Turovsky, conductor

LISTEN Carnival of the Animals XIII. The Swan
Camille Saint-Saëns
I Musici de Montréal; Yuli Turovsky, conductor

00:00

Camille Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals XIII. The Swan in the Depths of the Woods I Musici de Montreal; Yuli Turovsky, conductor

Have a question or suggestion? Contact Katie Condon, music education specialist.

More: View all of our YourClassical Music Lessons

Love the music?

Donate by phone

1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give