Level of Activity<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Articulation<\/h3>\n
1. What is Articulation?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"piano_articulation\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
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\n- Articulation specifies how individual notes<\/strong> are to be played<\/strong> or performed<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- In the classical world, there are four<\/strong> main types of articulation.<\/li>\n
- Staccato:\u00a0<\/strong>This means\u00a0the note is to be played shorter than its duration.<\/li>\n
- Tenuto:\u00a0<\/strong>This means the note is held for its full value. Think of it as “leaning” into a note.<\/li>\n
- Accent:\u00a0<\/strong>This means that a note is to be played percussively – louder, with a strong attack.<\/li>\n
- Marcato:\u00a0<\/strong>This means the note has to be played even louder and harder. Usually used when a band stops right before a break.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Articulation & Music Arrangement<\/strong><\/p>\nYou may be wondering why and how articulation would help in producing and arranging music. Although it is not necessary to think of articulation in terms of its “classical” sense, it’s worth\u00a0having knowledge about it and here’s why:<\/p>\n
\n- Articulation will help with\u00a0dynamics<\/strong> in your arrangement.<\/li>\n
- Changing the ADSR<\/strong> and velocity parameters<\/strong> of a synth patch or drum hit, can add that extra bit of detail that your arrangement is lacking.<\/li>\n
- Articulation is the foundation of the groove<\/strong> and vibe<\/strong> of a song. Playing a note hard or soft, holding it longer or shorter, all messes with the groove. Choosing the right kind of articulation for different rhythm and melodic patterns can steer your arrangement closer to where you vision it to be.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Practical Application<\/strong>s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n- Mess around with velocity and note length controls when creating melodies and beats. Articulating certain notes over others can give off different feels to your song.<\/li>\n
- Listen to songs that you like and take note of how the notes of different instruments are articulated. Use that as inspiration for your music arrangement process.<\/li>\n
- Articulations help instruments appear closer or further away in an arrangement. Play around with different articulations and see how they get positioned in the sonic space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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