Staccato

What it is: Short, separated notes; the bow stays on the string but stops between notes. Each note has a defined start and stop, with silence between them.

What it sounds like: Crisp, rhythmic, articulate — like spoken syllables. Less aggressive than martelé, less bouncy than spiccato.

When to use it: Rhythmic accompaniment patterns, dance-like melodies, fast articulated passages where each note needs its own attack but the bow shouldn't bounce. Any note with a dot above or below the notehead is staccato.

Tip: At fast tempos, staccato becomes Spiccato naturally. Above quarter ≈ 144, the bow physically can't stop and start cleanly on the string anymore — it lifts and bounces. Don't fight this; expect it. If you want true on-the-string staccato at speed, mark "staccato, on the string" explicitly.

Listen: Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, 1st movement — classical staccato at moderate speed, every note articulate but contained.

See also: Legato, Spiccato, Pizzicato, Orchestration