Notation - articulation
Articulation is how smoothly something is played.
Legato is Italian for 'linked together'. It means that notes should be played smoothly. Notes are joined by curved lines.
Staccato is Italian for 'detached'. It means that notes should be played short and sharp. It is indicated by short vertical strokes or dots above or below the note.
Legato and staccato marks are shown in the scores shown in the video below:
Legato marks are often used to indicate phrase lengths. These can indicate places for singers to breath. They also help instrumentalists to make sense of phrase lengths.
In the opening phrase of Ba Ba Black Sheep the legato phrase marks indicate a phrase length instead of specific slurring between the notes.
Other forms of articulation
Some types of articulation are specific forms of staccato or legato
The following symbols appear either above or below notes to show their articulation.