If you have ever looked at a piece of sheet music, you will certainly have noticed something. There are plenty of what look like lines, squiggles, and symbols. And, they are not there for decoration. They are there to give instructions to either the conductor, the musician, or the singer.
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Of those signs, we are going to look at and get an understanding of the Marcato music definition. It is a mark, like all the others, that denotes an action that needs to be taken.
One Of The Newer Instructions
In terms of instructions written into music, it was first used around the 1840s. That means it is one of the more recent marks that have been created. That means that Bach, Handel, and even Mozart and Beethoven would not have used it in their works.
A Brief History of The Origins of Marcato
One of the major challenges of the early composers was how to get their thoughts across to the musicians and conductors of the time. They could hear in their minds how the music should sound. But, it was unlikely a musician presented with a notation of the music would interpret it that way.
Johann Sebastian Bach was always trying to get certain articulation and dynamics into his music. In the main, though, he had to leave performance decisions to the musicians and how they interpreted the piece.
Change Begins
The mid-1800s saw an expansion of the instructions given to musicians and conductors by identifying marks on sheet music. There had been some instructions embedded in the music for years. But now, it had become more serious.
Composers did not want musicians making the decisions. They wanted to be able to instruct them on how to play their pieces. Instructions and guidance written in the musical score became more precise and intricate.
Marcato Was One
One of these instructions was marcato. Telling the musicians a little more about how some notes or a series of notes should be played. This is to enhance the performance.
There are two schools of thought about the origin of the word. Some say it is Italian from the word ‘marcare,’ which means to accent or mark. Others say that it is a German word and is similar to their word ‘marcon,’ also meaning to mark.
Whatever its linguistic origin, it is not overly important. The important issue is that marcato became an important instruction in how to interpret and play the music.
What Exactly Is the Marcato Music Definition?
Marcato is what is known as a musical note indication. As I have said, note indications are there to give instructions. Musicians use them to decide how the composer wants a note or even a group of notes to be played. One of these indications that musicians need to be aware of is ‘marcato.’
A Clue Is In The Word
If you know a little bit of the Italian language, that is. The word ‘marcato’ has an Italian derivation that means ‘hammered.’ Not in the alcoholic sense, but in the striking something sense. That gives you a little clue as to how the note or notes are to be played.
Marcato is an instruction to the musician or the singer to play or sing the notes powerfully. Or, in other words, to apply a very strong accentuation.
To indicate this accentuation, a sign is placed above the note or notes in question. I will look at the signage a little later. There is sometimes some confusion between the musical symbol for marcato and another similar action.
Note Duration
This accentuated note is only of short duration, though, rather like a staccato note might be heard. Therefore, the instruction is to play a note or series of notes loudly and with a short duration.
Is A Marcarto Like An Ordinary Accent?
This is one of two areas where it can all become a little confusing. The Marcato note is just a louder version of an “Accented Note.” But, there are times when they are confused with each other.
The notation symbols are the same for Marcato and Accent. Although, they are set in slightly different directions, which can assist in the confusion.
The Marcato Symbol
This is an open wedge shape in a vertical position. It resembles a ‘V’ that is upside down. The point of the ‘V’ sits in an upward-facing direction. The marcato symbol is placed above the note it applies to in the music.
The Accent Symbol
This is a similar open wedge shape to the marcato symbol; however, the accent symbol is placed horizontally, not vertically. Both symbols are usually placed at the top of the staff over the note in question. You will sometimes come across the word ‘marcato‘ written in the score. However, the symbol is more likely.
They Can Become Interchangeable
There are two further problems with ‘marcato’ and ‘accent’ symbols. Firstly, depending on when the music was written, the composer might be using one or the other. There seems, at times, to be very little in the way of conformity in the way the music was being notated.
This can be for several reasons. There is not always a clear difference between how a ‘marcato’ note is played and how an’ accented’ note is played. The composer might hear them differently but then interchanges the symbol.
This, of course, can affect the note being played. The marcato note is struck a bit harder than the accent note. We will go back to the differences between marcato and accent later to emphasize them.
Different Genres?
You wouldn’t think that the genre would matter, but it can. Classical musicians tend to be more formal in their playing than, shall we say, jazz musicians.
That is born out of the nature and stylization of the music. Classical is set, and it is a strict pattern. Jazz is largely looser in its format, allowing plenty of improvisation.
That tends to spill over into the way it might be written. A jazz musician might play a marcato note differently from a classical musician.
Playing A Marcato Note
Following the concept of playing a marcato note as it was originally foreseen, it should be played in a bold, emphatic way. Louder than the surrounding notes and louder than any accented notes.
This more forceful creation of the note inevitably makes it louder and usually more dramatic. It carries a very powerful initial attack that tapers off very quickly to what might be the more usual dynamic of the piece.
Backtracking
Included in all types of music, whether it is instrumental or vocal, are musical note indications. These tell the musician how the composer wants the note to be played. That is usually a reference to the dynamics of the piece.
Two such indications are marcato and accent. Confusing the two indications will not allow the piece to be played as the composer thinks it should. As we have seen, marcato and accent are different, but to make sure there is no confusion, let’s just go back to those differences.
Different symbols
The first thing is to make sure you know the difference in the symbols for each. We have seen they are very similar to each other. However, they are placed differently in the music.
Marcato is placed vertically and the Accent horizontally. That should be easy enough to recognize the difference and play accordingly.
Marcato Is Played More Forcefully Than The Accent
The accented note is played more forcefully than the usual dynamic of the piece you are playing. The marcato is played even more forcefully and intensely than the accent.
That is a little bit subjective, of course, as it will rely a little on the style of the player. On a piano, for example, some players naturally play quite hard.
The Length Of The Note
Here again, there is a subtle difference that may not be immediately apparent. Accents to a note or notes mean they will be shorter in duration. But, the marcato note is shorter again. It may be described as a loud staccato note.
It can occur quite naturally most of the time as a direct result of how forcefully you play or strike the note.
Two Levels Of Emphasizing A Note
If you just want to emphasize a note, then you would use an accent. If you want the note to stand out, then you would use marcato and cut the note short. That is usually how composers usually lay it out in their music.
Of course, you can see many pieces of music where the score is littered with notes with accents to give them emphasis. It takes the experience of playing the piece to know if any of those accented notes should be marcato as they sometimes can.
Different Instruments, Different Delivery
Interestingly, the results of marcato indications can vary depending upon the instrument. As an example, a marcato note on a trumpet can be very powerful indeed. But, on the piano, you are limited by the number of dynamics available.
Composers are aware of that. And, in the case of the naturally louder instruments like trumpet, they might choose to use accent instead of marcato. This will depend on various things, but it’s an option open to them.
Music Theory Is A Challenge
There is no doubt that learning music theory can be a challenging occupation. It is possibly the number one reason that most people on certain instruments quit before they get going.
Let me just assure you, it is the same for the vast majority of people. Each element of theory can be confusing at first. And, each seems to have its interminable ‘exceptions to the rule.’ But, you will get there. It just takes time, a bit of belief, a desire to succeed, and good practice.
Here are some things that may help:
- Music Theory: From Beginner to Expert
- The Shaping Forces in Music: An Inquiry into the Nature of Harmony, Melody, Counterpoint, and Form
- Music Theory 101: From keys and scales to rhythm and melody
Interested in Music Theory?
If so, take a look at our detailed articles on What Is Negative Harmony, What Is AABA Form In Music, What is Strophic Form In Music, What Is Homophonic Texture In Music, What is Melody in Music, and What Is Timbre In Music for useful information.
Marcato Music Definition – Conclusion
In the simplest definition, Marcato is an instruction from composer to conductor, musician, or singer. It is included in the music to tell you to give a powerful accentuation to a note or a series of notes. The composer is simply communicating to you how they can hear it and how they want you to play it.
Until next time, let the music play.
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