Among the various technical means for expressing musical emotion, varying articulation is one of the principals. Articulation chiefly concerns how notes are begun and ended. More specifically, it deals with whether they are legato, that is, smoothly connected with one another, or staccato, that is, separated from one another.
The best players cultivate a fine control over the total range of staccato and legato, from a brusque staccatissimo with clear-cut spaces between the notes, to a soft legatissimo with very small spaces. In playing one piece, the artist may use many different shades of these articulations to express various feelings. The finest players are especially noted for making their legato so smooth that they make the guitar sound eerily similar to a human voice.
At first glance, the guitar would seem to be an instrument on which staccato comes easily. Beginners, after all, play nearly everything staccato. Let us examine why this happens. First of all, sounds produced by the guitar tend to die out rapidly. In addition, playing the guitar is easier for a newer player if he or she releases the left-hand fingers before the full value of the notes. Furthermore, some guitarists have developed the sloppy habit of resting the right-hand fingers on the strings unconsciously, thus cutting off the notes prematurely. Finally, the guitar requires separate percussive movements for almost every act of playing. Staccato does, however, have an important place in musical expression. However, a continuous staccato is not a satisfying approach to music. Thus, the sensitive guitarist will seek out ways to play smoothly as well as staccato.
Legato, on the other hand, is a challenge to play on the guitar. Even when an accomplished guitarist plays as smoothly as possible, it still sounds considerably staccato. Guitarists share this dilemma with other musicians as well. Others, such as harpsichordists, who also play plucked instruments, share similar issues. Curiously, even the best legato that most instrumentalists can muster has at least a slight staccato component. For the reasons we have stated, however, it seems to be more difficult to reduce that factor on the guitar than on other instruments. A legato sound which approaches perfection, as performed on the violin, seems to elude the guitarist. This seemingly obvious fact, however, does not halt the most inspired artists from attempting to produce that elusive velvety sound.
On most instruments, no matter how intimately connected the notes may be, each one still has some trace of independence. After all, from a scientific standpoint, there does exist a minute space between it and the next one. In our experience, we perceive the world as alternating waves of action and rest, sound and silence. Even so, we long for the connectedness with others, illustrated perfectly in music by the legato. Work to perfect your legato technique, for it will give your guitar its voice and allow it to sing.
Feel free to visit LA Guitar Academy's website for professional guitar lessons in the Los Angeles area, or go to LAGA Online's home page to take online guitar lessons from the LAGA Faculty.
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