Which articulation marks indicate a strong, accented, separated attack?

• A. Legato.
• B. Staccato.
• C. Tenuto.
• D. Marcato.

Answer: (D)

The main idea tested is how articulation marks shape the attack of a note—the moment it starts and how separated it sounds from what comes next. When you see a marcato mark, you’re being asked to give the note a strong, weighted onset with clear emphasis. It’s not just about being loud; it’s about making the attack itself prominent so the note stands out and lands with bite, then separated from the following pitch. In practice, you attack the note crisply, use a bit more air and weight at the start, and release clearly to create a noticeable gap before the next note. This combination of emphasis and separation is what characterizes marcato.

By comparison, legato calls for a smooth, connected line with no distinct break between notes; staccato focuses on brevity and a short, detached feel without necessarily stressing the onset; tenuto suggests holding the note for its full value with even emphasis, which is more about sustain and line than a strong, accented attack.