What does marcato indicate about articulation?

• A. A smooth, connected line.
• B. A strong, accented, separated attack.
• C. A soft staccato.
• D. A light crescendo.

Answer: (B)

Marcato marks call for a strong, accented, separated attack. It means you give the note a noticeable emphasis—bite into the attack with a crisp, definite start—and then release cleanly enough to create a bit of separation before the next note. It’s more forceful than a regular accent and implies clear detachment, but not as short or abrupt as a full staccato. In wind playing, this yields a punchy, pointed articulation where each marked note stands out within the phrase. The other descriptions don’t fit because a smooth, connected line is legato, a soft staccato emphasizes shortness without the strong attack, and a light crescendo is about volume over time, not how the note is started and released.