Pizzicato vs. Staccato — What's the Difference?

Pizzicato (, Italian: [pittsiˈkaːto]; translated as "pinched", and sometimes roughly as "plucked") is a playing technique that involves plucking the strings of a string instrument. The exact technique varies somewhat depending on the type of instrument : On bowed string instruments it is a method of playing by plucking the strings with the fingers, rather than using the bow.

Staccato ([stakˈkaːto]; Italian for "detached") is a form of musical articulation. In modern notation, it signifies a note of shortened duration, separated from the note that may follow by silence.

Played by plucking rather than bowing the strings.

(Music) Cut short crisply; detached

A pizzicato note or passage.

Marked by or composed of abrupt, disconnected parts or sounds

(music) To be played by plucking the strings instead of using the bow.

A staccato manner or sound.

(music) A note that is played pizzicato

(music) An articulation marking directing that a note or passage of notes are to be played in an abruptly disconnected manner, with each note sounding for a very short duration, and a short break lasting until the sounding of the next note; as opposed to legato. Staccato is indicated by a dot directly above or below the notehead.

A direction to violinists to pluck the string with the finger, instead of using the bow. (Abrev. pizz.

(music) A passage having this mark.

(of instruments in the violin family) to be plucked with the finger

(figurative) Any sound resembling a musical staccato.

With a light plucking staccato sound

(music) played in this style

(music) Describing a passage having this mark.

Made up of abruptly disconnected parts or sounds.

Disconnected; separated; distinct; - a direction to perform the notes of a passage in a short, distinct, and pointed manner. It is opposed to legato, and often indicated by heavy accents written over or under the notes, or by dots when the performance is to be less distinct and emphatic.

Expressed in a brief, pointed manner.

Marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply;

Separating the notes; in music;