How to Play Staccato on the Piano

When reading music, a dot above or below a note indicates that the note should be played staccato. Staccato indicates that a note should be played short and detached. On the piano, the fingers basically hit, or peck, the keys creating a staccato sound. The length of the note is not affected, however once the note has finished sounding, there is silence for the remainder of the note count.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Place your right hand over the piano keyboard. Proper hand position is important when playing the piano. Your hand must be curved as if you were holding a tennis ball, the top of your finger tips should touch the keys and your thumb should touch a key on the outside edge of its tip.

2. Press down firmly on a single key with your thumb.

3. Remove your thumb quickly from the key as soon as the note has played.

4. Push the next key down with your index finger after your thumb has been released from the prior key. There must be a break between the notes when playing staccato, so do not press the next key until the first key has been released and you do not hear the note anymore.

5. Continue with the third, fourth and fifth fingers on your hand, practicing quick depressions and releases of the keys.

6. Practice the same technique with your left hand.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't have to bang the keys when playing staccato. Staccato doesn't mean loud, it just means that the notes do not sound smooth or joined together. They can be played loudly or softly.

• Do not start playing faster because of the silence at the end of the note count.