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Legato: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽถ
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legato

 

[ lษ™หˆษกษ‘ห.toสŠ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

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

connected, flowing, smooth.

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:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น legato

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฒเฅ‡เค—เฅ‡เคŸเฅ‹

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช legato

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ legato

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปะตะณะฐั‚ะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ legato

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒฌใ‚ฌใƒผใƒˆ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท legato

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ legato

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท legato

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ ˆ๊ฐ€ํ† 

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู„ุงุบุงุชูˆ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ legato

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ legato

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฟžๅฅ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ legato

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ legato

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะปะตะณะฐั‚ะพ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒšแƒ”แƒ’แƒแƒขแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ legato

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ 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.