martellato: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/TechnicalTechnical/Formal (Primarily within music theory and performance)
Quick answer
What does “martellato” mean?
A technique in music, particularly for stringed or keyboard instruments, where the note is played with a sharp, hammered, or percussive attack.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A technique in music, particularly for stringed or keyboard instruments, where the note is played with a sharp, hammered, or percussive attack.
In broader musical context, it can refer to any sharply accented, hammered style of playing. Outside of music, it is rarely used but can metaphorically describe a forceful, repetitive action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; the term is standardized within international musical terminology.
Connotations
Same technical connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both British and American English, confined to musical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “martellato” in a Sentence
[play] + [piece/passage] + martellato[marked] + martellato[perform] + [with] + martellatoVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “martellato” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cellist was instructed to martellato the opening phrase for dramatic effect.
- You need to martellato these chords more clearly.
American English
- The passage is marked to be martellatoed in the revised edition.
- He martellatoes the bass line with great precision.
adverb
British English
- Play this chord progression martellato.
- The direction 'martellato' was written above the stave.
American English
- The notes should be executed martellato, not legato.
- She sang the coloratura passage almost martellato.
adjective
British English
- The violins have a martellato section at bar 36.
- She mastered the challenging martellato bowing technique.
American English
- The pianist's martellato touch was perfectly suited to the Prokofiev sonata.
- Look for the martellato marking in the score.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in musicology, performance studies, and detailed score analysis.
Everyday
Extremely uncommon; would not be understood by the general public.
Technical
Core usage domain: music performance, especially for strings (violin, cello) and piano.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “martellato”
- Pronouncing the double 't' as in English 'martin'. It's a single, sharp 't'.
- Using it as a common adjective outside music.
- Spelling: 'martelato' (missing one 'l') is a common error.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is a loanword from Italian, fully adopted into the specialised lexicon of English musical terminology.
Extremely rarely. It might be used metaphorically in literary or descriptive writing (e.g., 'the martellato rhythm of the typewriter'), but this is not standard usage.
While used for piano and other instruments, it is most classically associated with string instrument (violin, cello) bowing technique.
Stress the third syllable: mar-te-LA-to. The 'a's are broad, like in 'father', and the double 'l' is pronounced as a single, clear 'l'.
A technique in music, particularly for stringed or keyboard instruments, where the note is played with a sharp, hammered, or percussive attack.
Martellato is usually technical/formal (primarily within music theory and performance) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none applicable - technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MARTELLATO like a small hammer (Italian 'martello' = hammer) hitting the string or key.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLAYING MUSIC IS PHYSICAL IMPACT (hammering, striking).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'martellato'?