A curve slu above or below a passage of notes indicating that they should be played in a legato manner. Standard notation indicates legato either with the word legato, or by a denigration (a curved line) under the notes that form a legato group. Legato, like staccato, is a kind of articulation. The guitar legato is usually associated with playing more notes in a measure than the specified timing, i.e. 5 (a quintuple) or 7 (a septuplet) notes against a quarter note instead of the usual even number or triol. This gives the passage unusual timing and an unusual sound during slow playback. However, this is less noticeable to the ear when played quickly, like Clegato. There is a fine line between legato and finger tapping with both hands, which sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish the two techniques by ear. In general, legato gives a passage a softer and softer sound. Subscribe to America`s largest dictionary and get thousands of other definitions and an advanced search – ad-free! «Legato.» Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legato. Retrieved 27 September 2022.

In musical interpretation and notation, Legato indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected. That is, the player passes from one note to another without intermediate silence. The Legato technique is necessary for washed out performance, but unlike washout, Legato does not prohibit rearticulation. The standard notation indicates legato either with the word legato, or by a denigration under the notes that form a legato group. Legato, like staccato, is a kind of articulation. There is an intermediate joint called mezzo staccato or non-legato. Etymology: borrowed from legato, past participle from legare, borrowed from ligo. There is an intermediate joint called mezzo-opas or non-legato (sometimes called portato).

In guitar playing (apart from classical guitar), legato is used interchangeably as a term for musical articulation and a specific application of the technique – playing musical phrases with the left hand to play notes – using techniques such as glissando, string bending, hammer-ons and pull-offs rather than choosing notes. The fact that the same finger vibrates the string and adjusts the pitch results in smoother transitions between notes than when one hand is used to mark pitch while the other hits the string. The legato technique of providing a legato articulation on the electric guitar usually requires playing close notes and on the same string, followed by the first note with others played by hammer-ons and pull-offs. In synthesizers, the legato is a kind of monophonic operation. Unlike the typical monophonic mode, where each new note articulates the sound by restarting the envelope generators, in legato mode, the envelopes are not triggered again when the new «legato» note is played (with the previous note still pressed). As a result, the initial transition of the attack and disintegration phase sounds only once for an entire sequence of legato notes. Envelopes that reach the maintenance stage remain there until the last note is published. In classical singing, legato means a series of vowels supported with minimal interruption by the consonants.

This is a key feature of the bel canto singing style that prevailed among singing teachers and singers in the 18th century and the first four decades of the 19th century. Usually called a line, a good smooth legato is always necessary for successful classical singers. In Western classical music, singers usually use it on any phrase without explicit signs of articulation. Usually, the most common problem with vocal legato is holding the «line» through the registers. In music for classical stringed instruments, the legato is an articulation that often refers to notes played with a full bow and played with the shortest, often barely perceptible, silence between notes. The player achieves this through controlled wrist movements of the bow`s hand, often masked or enhanced with vibrato. Such a style of play legato can also be associated with Portamento. Some guitar virtuosos (notably Allan Holdsworth, Shawn Lane, and Brett Garsed) developed their legato technique to the point where they could perform extremely complex passages with any permutation of notes on a string at extreme tempos, and especially in the case of Holdsworth, they tend to avoid deductions altogether.

Which, according to some, is detrimental to the sound of the guitar. because the string is pulled slightly to the side. The term «hammer-ons out from nowhere» is often used when strings are crossed and the strength of the hand is relied upon to create a note, but on a plucked string. Many guitar virtuosos are familiar with the legato technique, as it allows for fast and «clean» racing. Several hammer-ons and pull-offs together are sometimes colloquially referred to as «rolls», a reference to the technique`s fluid sound. A quick series of hammers and dashes between a single pair of notes is called a trill. Legato ([leˈɡaːto]; Italian for «bound together»; Linked French; German binding) indicates that musical notes are played or sung fluently and are linked. That is, the player makes a transition from note to note without silence between the two. The legato technique is necessary for faded performance, but unlike washing (as this term is interpreted for some instruments), legato does not prohibit rearticulation. [clarification needed] These sample phrases are automatically selected from various online information sources to reflect the current use of the word «legato».

The views expressed in the examples do not represent the views of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us your feedback. (music) without pauses between notes; Smooth and coherent etymology: [It., linked, connected, fr. legare to bind, to bind, L. ligare.] lā-gä′to, adj. (mus.) in a gentle way, with the notes played as if they were linked. — n. a gentle way of performing or a melody thus played. — adv. (sup.) Legatiss′imo. [Il.—L.

ligāre, bind.] Can you beat the previous winners of National Spelli? connected; limit; — term used when successive tones are to be produced in a tightly bound, gently sliding manner. It is often indicated by a binding, i.e. /, /, or /, /, which is written above or below the notes to be played in this way; — unlike staccato.