Which term means very short and detached?

• A. Staccatissimo
• B. Staccato
• C. Détaché Bowing
• D. Sautillé Bowing

Answer: (A)

Very short and detached describes an articulation that asks for notes to be cut extremely short and sharply separated from the next. Staccatissimo is the mark that does this most strongly, usually shown with a small wedge above the note, signaling the shortest, most abrupt detachments. While staccato (a dot) also means short and detached, it’s not as extreme as staccatissimo. Détaché bowing involves playing each note with its own bow stroke on string instruments, producing clear separations, but it’s a technique name rather than a sheer length indication. Sautillé bowing uses a light, bouncing bow to articulate a rapid, lively line, which can feel short but is about the bowing style and phrasing rather than the absolute duration of each note. So the best fit for “very short and detached” is staccatissimo.