What term describes the various ways in which musical notes are executed?

The term that describes the various ways in which musical notes are executed is articulation. Articulation refers to how individual notes are played or sung, which can include techniques such as staccato (short and detached), legato (smooth and connected), accents (emphasizing a note), and other ways that affect the clarity and character of the notes. Understanding articulation is essential for performers as it influences the overall expression and style of the music being interpreted.

Dynamics, while closely related, refers specifically to the volume of the music—how loud or soft the notes are played—rather than the manner in which they are performed. Expression encompasses broader emotional and stylistic elements within music, but does not specifically target the execution of individual notes. Texture deals with the layers of sound in a composition and how different instruments or voices interact, which is a different aspect than the execution of notes themselves. Therefore, articulation is the most precise term for describing the variations in the execution of musical notes.