staccatissimo

Staccatissimo is a musical articulation that indicates an extremely short, detached note. It is a more extreme form of staccato, instructing the performer to detach the note as much as the tempo allows, producing a crisp, punctuating sound.

Notation: The most common symbol is a wedge-shaped mark, a small filled triangle placed above or below the note. Some editions use a short vertical stroke. The staccato dot denotes a less abrupt separation; the wedge marks signal a greater degree of detachment. When used on a note within a rapid passage, it can be interpreted as almost instantaneous release; exact duration depends on context and performer.

Performance and instrument context: In keyboard music, staccatissimo generally means a very brief note with a quick release. For string players, it implies a sharp, short bow stroke or a stopped bow; for woodwinds and brass, it suggests very brief tonguing and stop. The effect is a highly pointed articulation that contrasts with legato or with ordinary staccato.

Relationship to related markings: Staccatissimo differs from staccato by its shorter length, and it is often contrasted with portato, which indicates a semi-detached, lightly rearticulated note typically shown with a slur and either tenuto plus staccato dots or the portato marks.

History: The term is Italian and has appeared in music notation since at least the Romantic era, though earlier editors used similar wedge or dash symbols. In contemporary notation, the wedge-shaped staccatissimo is standardized in many editions, but performers may adjust its exact duration to fit style, tempo, and instrument.