Staccado vs Leggato

[Jon Blankenship]

I got some excellent direct feedback from my judges this weekend (Thanks Andrew!) and wanted to see if anyone knows of a good video to supplement my lessons to showcase the difference.

Also, do you change up how you dance your routine by listening to the music. So adjust accordingly?

 

[Jon Blankenship]

*Legato

 

[opendoor]

Staccato and legato are notes on sheet music: choppy vs. fluently.

 

[Joe]

Staccato and legato are notes on sheet music: choppy vs. fluently.

More like fluidly...

 

[Mengu]

During a lesson regarding musicality, my instructor demonstrated for me a simple waltz line with music, dancing it three ways, staccato, legato, and rubato. Seeing it makes it super clear (wish I had recorded that demonstration), hope you can find something like it, or ask an instructor. She proceeded to tell me I should practice all three ways for awareness. Staccato isn't used as much in waltz, but for instance in foxtrot all three are possible to integrate into your dance.

I don't know how well I adjust my dancing to the music, but I do try. It seems to depend on how inspiring the music itself is, and my state of mind.

 

[open_mind]

Staccato isn't used as much in waltz, but for instance in foxtrot all three are possible to integrate into your dance.
.

I would say tango is is the only standard dance where I see staccato possible. I am curious, why foxtrot?

 

[Mengu]

I would say tango is is the only standard dance where I see staccato possible. I am curious, why foxtrot?

I was mostly talking about smooth, but it applies to standard too. Any time you move your foot ahead of movement quicker than the body, you're using a staccato action. Let's take a Bounce fallaway with weave ending... First dance it legato all the way through, so every step is evenly timed and blended. It's probably going to feel a little strange without music, but could be what a piece of drawling foxtrot calls for. Now dance it with every step staccato, this is also likely to feel strange, but a big band hitting every beat with percussion might call for this approach. And finally mix it up, maybe make steps 3, 5, and 6 staccato, and the rest legato. This is probably going to feel more natural as it is likely how you practice. And of course almost everyone dances the feather finish rubato, stealing from one quick to add to another. There is going to be more diversity in the music and types of actions in smooth foxtrot, so I do think these thoughts are likely more applicable there.

I do not think staccato actions are unique to tango. But this could just be my perception of what a staccato action is, since we are basically just trying to translate musical terminology into movement.

 

[twnkltoz]

For a foxtrot example, on New York, New York, you could do:

Staccato: it's! up! to! you! new! york!
legato: neeeeewwwwww yoooooorrrrrkkkkk!

 

[open_mind]

Ok, so maybe we have different understanding of the terminology. I agree in foxtrot (or in waltz for that matter), movement of the foot could or could not be on exact music beat and could depend on musicality and interpenetration of a particular song, but that's not what I think of as a staccato. Staccato and legato are quality of movement, and you are probably talking about timing and rhythm.

I googled it and it matches my understanding.[replace note with movement]

Staccato: with each sound or note sharply detached or separated from the others.
Legato: in a smooth, flowing manner, without breaks between notes.