> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://handbook.musescore.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/notation/articulations-and-ornaments.md).
# Articulations and ornaments
A comprehensive set of symbols can be found in the **Articulations** [palette](/3/basics/palettes.md) in the Advanced workspace:
and the **Ornaments** palette (Advanced workspace):
There is also an abbreviated version of **Articulations** palette in the Basic workspace.
To add verbal articulation objects available in the **Text** palette (***pizz. , arco*** etc) to a score, see [Staff Text and System Text](/3/text/staff-text-and-system-text.md) chapter. Guitar bend is covered in [Bends](/3/notation/articulations-and-ornaments/bends.md) chapter. Brass or woodwind articulation (Fall, Doit, Plop, Scoop) is covered in [Arpeggios and glissandi](/3/notation/arpeggios-and-glissandi.md).
## Articulations
**Articulations** are the symbols added to the score to show how a note or chord is to be played. The principal symbols in this group are:
* [Fermatas](/3/sound-and-playback/tempo.md#fermata)
* Accents (**>**)
* Staccato and variations—including mezzo-staccato (portato), staccatissimo.
* Tenuto
* Marcato (**^**)
Specialist articulations are also included for bowed and plucked strings, wind instruments etc.
## Ornaments
**Ornaments** include:
* Mordents, Inverted Mordents, Pralltrills
* Trills
* Turns
* [Bends](/3/notation/articulations-and-ornaments/bends.md)
**Note**: **Appoggiaturas** and **acciaccaturas** can be found in the [Grace Notes](/3/notation/grace-notes.md) palette.
## Add articulation/ornament
Use either of the following methods:
* [Select](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md) a note or a [range](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md#range-select) of notes, then click a symbol in a palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4).
* Drag a symbol from a palette onto a notehead.
### Add accidental to an ornament
To apply an accidental to an existing ornament, such as a trill:
1. Select the note to which the ornament is attached;
2. Open the [Symbols section](/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md#symbols) of the [Master palette](/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md);
3. Search for and [apply](/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md#adding-an-item-to-the-score-directly) the desired accidental to the score (small accidentals can be found using the search term "figured bass");
4. Drag the accidental into position (or reposition using [keyboard shortcuts](/3/basics/edit-mode.md#keyboard-shortcuts) or the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md#element)).
### Add fermata to a barline
Use one of the following methods:
* Select a [barline](/3/notation/barlines.md), then click a fermata symbol in a palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4).
* Drag a fermata symbol from a palette onto a barline in the score.
*Note*: This does not affect [playback](/3/sound-and-playback/tempo.md#fermata).
### Keyboard shortcuts
* Toggle Staccato: Shift+S
* Toggle Tenuto(**─**): Shift+N
* Toggle Accent(**>**): Shift+V
* Toggle Marcato(**^**): Shift+O
* Add [Acciaccatura (grace note)](/3/notation/grace-notes.md): /
Keyboard shortcuts can be customized in MuseScore's [Preferences](/3/advanced-topics/preferences.md#shortcuts).
## Adjust position
Immediately after adding an articulation or ornament from a palette, the symbol is automatically selected: It can then be moved *up or down* from the keyboard as follows:
* Press up/down arrow keys for fine positioning (0.1 sp at a time);
* Press Ctrl+Up or Ctrl+Down (Mac: Cmd+Up or Cmd+Down) for larger vertical adjustments (1 sp at a time).
* To flip a symbol to the other side of the note (where applicable), select it and press X.
To enable adjustments in *all* directions from the keyboard:
1. Enter [Edit mode](/3/basics/edit-mode.md#enter-edit-mode) on the symbol;
2. Press arrow keys for fine positioning (0.1 sp at a time); or press Ctrl+Arrow (Mac: Cmd+Arrow) for larger adjustments (1 sp at a time).
You can also change the horizontal and vertical offset values in the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md). To position more than one symbol at a time, select the desired symbols and adjust the offset values in the Inspector.
**Note**: The symbol can also be repositioned by clicking and dragging, but for more precise control, use the methods above.
## Articulation and ornament properties
*Fermata is covered in* [*Tempo*](/3/sound-and-playback/tempo.md#fermata) *chapter.*
Edit selected object(s)' properties on a score with the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md). Under the Articulation heading:
* **Placement**: Above or below the staff.
* **Direction**: Auto / Up / Down.
* **Anchor**: Adjust the vertical placement of the symbol.
* **Time stretch**: Obsolete. Use [Fermatas section of Inspector](/3/sound-and-playback/tempo.md#fermata) instead
* **Ornament style**: Default or Baroque.
* **Play**: Turn playback on or off.
Edit global style settings in **Format→Style→Articulations, Ornaments**, see [Layout and formatting](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#articulations-ornaments) chapter.
## Playback
Playback of note affected by articulation symbols varies among instruments, the **general effect**:
* Staccato : shorter
* Tenuto(**─**): longer (no effect on Strings eg violins)
* Marcato (**^**) : louder and shorter
* Accent (**>**) : louder (louder than using a Marcato) and longer (no duration extension effect on Strings eg violins)
To find out the effect of each instrument, save your score as .mscx, open it as plaintext, find `` and its `` and `` values. see `` for accent (**>**) symbol
To achieve your desired playback, either:
* inside Musescore: add multiple symbols, toggle their **Play** and **Visible** properties. You can also set [the note itself's](/3/basics/inspector.md) **Velocity** and **Velocity type** properties, or
* edit per instrument settings in your saved file: save your score as .mscx, open it as plaintext and edit the instrument articulation definitions. These modifications do not affect new instruments added later, or
* edit default settings in instrument.xml affecting new instruments.
See this battle between jazz and classical musicians on [the forum](https://musescore.org/en/node/290590) for more details.
## See also
* [Grace notes](/3/notation/grace-notes.md)
* [Fermatas in Tempo](/3/sound-and-playback/tempo.md#fermata)
* [Dynamics](/3/sound-and-playback/dynamics.md) (**sfz** symbol)
## External links
* [How to create trills and ornaments with accidentals (and playback)](https://musescore.org/en/node/277181) (MuseScore HowTo)
* [Ornaments](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornament_\(music\)) at Wikipedia
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