Staccatissimo

Staccatissimo is the superlative of staccato — notes are shortened even more than staccato, played as briefly as possible while retaining tonal definition. The marking is typically indicated by a wedge or arrowhead symbol above or below the note (▼ or ▲), distinguishing it from the dot of regular staccato.

A staccatissimo note may be only a quarter or even less of its written value, with substantial silence between notes. The character is even lighter and more pointed than staccato — the music sparkles, almost percussive in effect.

Staccatissimo is common in fast, virtuoso passages — Beethoven and Liszt use it constantly in scherzo-like writing. The risk is that the notes become so short they lose tonal quality and pitch definition. The performer must maintain clarity even at extreme brevity.

Italian, superlative of staccato. The -issimo suffix amplifies to extreme brevity.

Make every note as short as possible while still letting it speak. On piano, a quick percussive touch with immediate key release. On strings, a tightly stopped bow stroke. The note should ‘ping’ and stop.