Articulation Lab Worksheet
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Articulation Lab introduces four common ways to shape a musical phrase: staccato, accent, tenuto, and slur. Students study the printed examples, name each mark, and match playing instructions to the correct articulation in eight short questions.
Download and print
The student-only PDF is one page and contains no answers. The separate teacher answer key is also one page. Print the student PDF for your class and keep the key for checking.
What students practice
- Identify staccato, accent, tenuto, and slur markings.
- Connect each articulation mark with its musical purpose.
- Distinguish a slur over different pitches from a tie.
- Explain why articulation is not a fixed change of note value.
A short teaching routine
Demonstrate a short phrase with contrasting articulations, or have students listen to your spoken descriptions. Point to each printed mark before students answer the identification questions.
After checking the page, choose one familiar rehearsal phrase and ask students how changing its articulation would change its character. Discuss tenuto in the context of the music rather than assigning it a fixed length.
Common questions
Is a slur the same as a tie?
No. The slur examples connect different pitches smoothly. A tie connects notes of the same pitch.
Does staccato always mean half the written duration?
No. Staccato indicates a short, detached sound; its exact length depends on musical context.
Related practice
Music Symbols Identification extends the review to other common music symbols.