What does the Italian staccato mean?

In Italian, staccato means detached or separated. It's a musical term that describes a way of playing a note or a series of notes with a short, crisp articulation, creating a distinct separation between each note.

Think of it like this:

* Staccato is like playing a series of short, sharp punches.

* Legato (the opposite of staccato) is like playing a smooth, flowing line, like a gentle caress.

Here's how it looks in musical notation:

* A dot placed above or below a note: This is the most common way to indicate staccato.

* "stacc." or "staccato" written above the notes: This is less common but sometimes used for clarity, especially in complex passages.

Staccato is a powerful tool that can add energy, clarity, and character to music. It can be used to create a sense of excitement, urgency, or playfulness.