staccato
Staccato is the magical mark of a tiny dot that dismembers a melody and forces performers to masquerade artful expression as abrupt interruptions. It serves merely as musical camouflage to conceal a lack of smooth expression and is the pardon slip handed to under-practiced musicians. Its enthusiastic chops often assault the listener’s eardrums, leaving an aftertaste of discord. Or perhaps it is simply a performance gimmick for showcasing technical prowess. The unnatural sharpness of this minute dot epitomizes the paradox of modern music.