It is called staccato. Hope it helps!
A short musical idea can be called a number of things. It can be called a phrase or motif for example.
It can be two things: First, it can be a short musical passage (a phrase) connected with a certain character or idea in the music. The operas of Richard Wagner are full of signature phrases (he called them "leitmotivs") identifying people, objects and places. A "signature phrase" can also be a short musical passage that instantly identifies the work and it's composer - such as the first four notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
motive
Do you mean "ostinato"? That is a short musical phrase that is repeated many times.
A. Prelude
A short sentence or phrase chosen asencapsulating the beliefs or ideals guiding an individual,family, or institution.A phrase that recurs throughout a musical work and has some symbolic significance.
A motive is a short musical idea.A short musical idea.
There may be different types of notes in a musical phrase. A phrase in music is denoted by connecting them through a slur. They usually are played smoothly unless otherwise indicated as a direction.
A prelude is a short work for piano. it was a short musical form written especially for piano also though in modern times it's has other uses.
Another term that usually refers to a piece of (although it can also refer to a rhythm or a chord progression) is "motif." A motif is a short musical idea-shorter than a phrase-that occurs often in a piece of music. A short melodic idea may also be called a motif, a motive, a cell, or a figure.
A short MUSICAL IDEA.
I think it is a motive.