Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music

Basic Music Theory

Articulations may also be combined. For example, an accent with a

legato would be a very short accent.

Example 10.1 Notes with various articulations.

Of Ties and Slurs

Two more types of articulations seen quite frequently are ties and slurs.

Technically, ties aren’t really a form of articulation, but because they

look exactly like slurs but for one important difference, I’m introducing

them together.

A tie is a curved line connecting two or more notes of the same pitch.

A slur is a curved line connecting two or more notes of different

pitches.

The Tie

Just like tying one piece of string to another gives you a longer piece of

string, so tying two notes together makes a longer note. There is no

break between tied notes. Ties are often used to join notes over the bar

line.

Example 10.2 Some tied notes.

ARTICULATIONS (SYMBOL) MEANING

accent (>, ) note given more emphasis

legato (—) play the note full value

staccato (.) short

two beats seven beats total