The Common Time Signature
This symbol is called common time. It means exactly the same as *.
The following example uses the common time signature. It contains one lead-in note.
Here is an example which uses a lead-in in ^ time.
A slur is a curved line above or below two or more different notes. It tells you to play the notes smoothly. Playing smoothly is called legato. To play legato, only tongue the first note of the group and keep blowing while you change your finger positions for the other notes.
Remember to tongue only the first note of each group of notes connected by the slur.
A dot above or below a note tells you to play the note staccato. Staccato means to play a note short and separate from other notes. This is the opposite of legato. To play a note staccato, make a short "t" action with your tongue, and cut off your breath as soon as you tongue the note.
The following examples contain both staccato and slur marks. Staccato and slurs are examples of articulations. Articulation means the way a note is played. The way you play notes can make a big difference to the way the music sounds.
