Accent

Accent is an articulation marking indicating that a note should be played with greater emphasis than surrounding notes. This emphasis makes the note stand out within the musical line.

It is typically notated with a “greater-than” symbol (>) placed above or below the note. The marking indicates relative emphasis rather than a fixed increase in volume or duration.

Execution and sound

In performance, an accent is achieved by increasing the intensity of the note’s attack. The technique varies by instrument: string players use a stronger bow impulse, wind players apply more air pressure and tongue emphasis, and pianists use a more pronounced key attack.

The resulting sound is more prominent and clearly defined compared to surrounding notes, without necessarily changing the overall tempo or phrasing.

Musical function

Accents are used to highlight rhythmic structure, clarify phrasing, and bring attention to specific notes within a passage. They often reinforce the natural pulse or create intentional contrast within a musical line.

The effect of an accent depends on context: it may be subtle in lyrical passages or more pronounced in rhythmic or energetic sections.

Examples

• Stravinsky — The Rite of Spring (frequent, clearly notated accented rhythms driving the musical texture)
• Beethoven — Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, 2nd movement (repeated accented pulse shaping the rhythmic foundation)
• Brahms — Hungarian Dance No. 5 (strong rhythmic accents in thematic material)
• Bartók — Mikrokosmos (explicitly notated accents in pedagogical piano pieces)

In practice

Effective use of accents requires control and balance. The performer must emphasize notes without disrupting the overall flow or exaggerating dynamics beyond the musical context.

Well-placed accents enhance clarity, structure, and expressiveness, helping shape the musical phrase and guide the listener’s perception.