marcato

American  

[mahr-kah-toh, mahr-kah-taw] / mɑrˈkɑ toʊ, mɑrˈkɑ tɔ /

adjective

1. (of notes or chords in a musical score) strongly accented.

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marcato British  

/ mɑːˈkɑːtəʊ /

adjective

1. (of notes) heavily accented

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adverb

1. with each note heavily accented

Etymology

Origin of marcato

1830–40; < Italian: marked

Explanation

When you play notes or chords marcato, you really emphasize them so they stand out sharply. This usually means they are also a bit louder than the notes or chords around them. Like most musical instructions, marcato is Italian. It literally means "marked" — in other words, standing out from the rest by being strongly accented. There's usually a symbol > or – above the notes or chords to be played marcato. On a piano, you need to use a firm, forceful touch to achieve this effect, and release the pedal before continuing. Other instruments may use different techniques. You can also use marcato as an adjective, as in "Let's hear those marcato chords at the end!"

Example Sentences

But in this scene, as throughout the opera, Britten scatters spiky marcato and staccato articulation.

From New York Times • Jan. 27, 2022

Even before the curtain had risen on “Serenade” the marcato emphasis of one ascending scale gave a particular edge to the event.

From New York Times • Jan. 16, 2013

This would be admirable if it wasn’t an end in itself; instead the varied legato, marcato and staccato are the main spectacle.

From New York Times • Jun. 28, 2012

The gestures are timed, marcato, with complete triviality, to the thrilling main theme of Bizet’s “Arlésienne.”

From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2012

Notes marked marcato have enough of an accent and/or enough space between them to make each note seem stressed or set apart.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones