What does arpeggiation refer to in music?

Arpeggiation in music specifically refers to the performance of the notes in a chord one after another, rather than playing them simultaneously. This technique creates a flowing, melodic line that can add depth and complexity to a musical piece. When musicians use arpeggiation, they can evoke emotional qualities and movement, as each individual note is articulated, allowing for expressive playing.

In contrast, other concepts such as syncopation, descending scales, and staccato have their distinct definitions and applications in music but do not focus on the sequential articulation of chord tones. Syncopation deals with rhythmic emphasis that shifts away from the expected beats, descending scales involve a stepwise downward motion through a scale, and staccato refers to a style of playing or singing notes in a detached manner. Each of these terms highlights different aspects of musical performance and texture, whereas arpeggiation centers on the linear sequential playing of chord notes.