marcato

In tango, the characteristic rhythmic pattern — strongly accented, staccato chords — that forms the rhythmic backbone of the tango texture. In Piazzolla's quintet writing, the piano often carries the marcato while the violin or bandoneon plays the melodic line.

The marcato should feel physical and dance-like, not mechanical. The staccato is not short — it is stopped, with weight. Think of it as footwork: precise but grounded. In ensemble playing, the marcato must be anchored before the melody can speak freely above it.