Staccato is a musical notation that is usually interpreted as a shortening of the note in order to create space or silence between notes. In stringed instruments this shortening of the note is created by abruptly stopping the movement of the bow, even if for a fraction of a second.
The staccato technique is unfolded organically in the Suzuki repertoire books; however, pointing out the progression to students can help them develop a firmer grasp of the technique over time.
Up-bow Staccato in Book 1
- Song of the Wind: basic staccato, the student learns to stop the bow on the string
- Minuet No. 1: begin up-bow staccato, two stopped notes using the whole bow. It is from this point on that the concept of “pulling to the tip” on the note preceding the staccato should be introduced.
- Minuet No. 2: up-bow staccato same as Minuet No. 1 but with a string crossing before the staccato notes
Up-bow Staccato in Book 2
- Variation on Long Long Ago: rather than just a note before the staccato, there is a slur with two notes. The student should “pull to the tip” on this slur. The up-bow staccato notes should now be executed in the upper half of the bow
- Minuet in G: The Trio section features a two-note slur that should be “pulled to the tip” but then requires the student to perform four staccato notes in the up-bow rather than just two.
Up-bow Staccato in Book 3
- “Gavotte” by Gossec: Here in the first section in g minor, in Part B (third and fourth lines) the student first uses 6 up-bow staccato notes. They must also pull to the tip faster than before as the two slurred notes are two 16th notes and the tempo is quicker
Up-bow Staccato in Book 5
- Country Dance: first time the student encounters a long section of up-bow staccato involving crossing several strings. By this song the technique should be consolidated for the student. Check out my post here on how to do and teach up-bow staccato effectively.