Legato: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ถ
legato
[ lษหษกษห.toส ]
music technique
Legato is a musical term that indicates that notes should be played or sung smoothly and connectedly, without any noticeable breaks between them. It is opposite to staccato, where notes are played in a detached manner. Musicians often use legato to create a flowing, lyrical quality in their performances. In notation, legato is usually indicated by a curved line over the notes, showing that they should be performed in this manner.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The pianist played the piece in a beautiful legato.
- She practiced her legato technique to improve her singing.
- The conductor emphasized legato playing during the rehearsal.
- He always strives for legato in his wind instrument performances.
Translations
Translations of the word "legato" in other languages:
๐ต๐น legato
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฒเฅเคเฅเคเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช legato
๐ฎ๐ฉ legato
๐บ๐ฆ ะปะตะณะฐัะพ
๐ต๐ฑ legato
๐ฏ๐ต ใฌใฌใผใ
๐ซ๐ท legato
๐ช๐ธ legato
๐น๐ท legato
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ ๊ฐํ
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุงุบุงุชู
๐จ๐ฟ legato
๐ธ๐ฐ legato
๐จ๐ณ ่ฟๅฅ
๐ธ๐ฎ legato
๐ฎ๐ธ legato
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะปะตะณะฐัะพ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแขแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ legato
๐ฒ๐ฝ legato
Etymology
The term 'legato' originates from the Italian word 'legare,' which means 'to tie' or 'to bind.' It was first used in the context of music in the late 17th century, during the Baroque period when composers began to focus on expressive playing techniques. The concept of legato emphasizes the continuity of sound, which was a significant evolution in musical style, moving away from the previously more detached manner of playing. This technique became crucial for developing the expressive capabilities of instruments and voice, leading to a richer musical experience. Over time, legato has been adopted in various musical genres and remains an essential aspect of musical interpretation today. The clear distinction between legato and its counterpart staccato has enriched the vocabulary of musicians, allowing for more nuanced performances.
Word Frequency Rank
This word's position of #30,789 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.
- ...
- 30786 pander
- 30787 upbraid
- 30788 grassed
- 30789 legato
- 30790 exoskeleton
- 30791 herringbone
- 30792 pinyon
- ...