Staccato.
“A note of shortened duration, separated from the note that may be followed by silence.” — Wikipedia
What is a staccato?
A short note.
A note that’s detached.
A note that is played percussively.
It sure sounds more chipper than regular notes.
But it can be played gently too.
How fast must a staccato be?
A second? Half a second?
Can I play a short note a little longer?
Well it depends, my teacher says.
Can it sound dry
like a wood chip flying in the carpenter’s shop?
Can it be wet
like chewed gum stuck on the cork board before it falls off?
Can it sound round and mellow
Like the voice of a newborn chick?
Can it sound jagged and sad
like the midnight cry of a jackal pup?
A staccato.
I’m mystified.
A short note followed by silence.
Silence preceded by a short note?
Why does it have to be preceded?
Can I start a piece with silence, then a short note?
Will people notice the silence?
Of course not,
unless I say, “I start my piece with silence.”
But then, it doesn’t really begin with silence, does it?
What is silence?
What is a staccato?
What!
Is!
Staccato!!??