Legato

Definition

Legato is a musical term that signifies smooth and connected notes, played or sung in a flowing manner without noticeable breaks or gaps. This technique creates a seamless and lyrical quality in the music, allowing for expressive phrasing and emotional depth. Achieving legato often involves careful control of articulation and breath support, especially in string instruments and vocal performances.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In string instruments, legato can be achieved through smooth bow strokes that create a continuous sound without interruptions.
2. Vocalists use breath control to maintain a steady airflow, allowing them to sing legato passages with ease and expression.
3. In written music, legato is often indicated by a slur marking over the notes, signifying that they should be connected.
4. Legato playing can enhance the emotional impact of a piece, making it more engaging for listeners by emphasizing lyrical lines.
5. Different instruments may require unique techniques to achieve legato, such as fingerings on woodwinds or using vibrato on strings.

Review Questions

• How does the execution of legato differ between string instruments and vocal performances?
  • Legato execution varies significantly between string instruments and vocal performances due to the nature of sound production. In string instruments, legato is achieved through smooth bowing techniques that allow for a continuous sound without breaks. In contrast, vocalists rely on breath control and support to maintain a steady airflow while singing connected notes. Both require careful technique but differ in their physical approach to achieving the smooth quality characteristic of legato.
• Discuss the importance of articulation in achieving legato and how it impacts musical expression.
  • Articulation plays a crucial role in achieving legato as it dictates how notes are connected or separated. Proper articulation ensures that notes blend smoothly into one another, creating the desired seamless effect. This smoothness enhances musical expression by allowing performers to convey emotion more effectively, as the listener perceives a flowing line rather than disjointed phrases. Articulating legato correctly elevates the overall musical experience for both the performer and the audience.
• Evaluate how different musical genres might interpret legato playing and its expressive qualities.
  • Different musical genres interpret legato playing distinctively based on stylistic conventions and expressive needs. For instance, classical music often emphasizes a pure, smooth legato to evoke lyrical beauty, while jazz may adopt a more relaxed approach that incorporates swing or syncopation within legato lines. Similarly, in folk or pop music, legato can convey emotional storytelling, with variations in dynamics and phrasing that align with the genre's unique characteristics. Understanding these interpretations helps performers adapt their technique and expressiveness to fit the specific context of each genre.

Related terms

staccato: A style of playing or singing where notes are executed sharply and detached from each other, contrasting with the smoothness of legato.

portamento: A technique involving a continuous glide from one pitch to another, which can enhance the expressive quality of legato.

articulation: The way in which notes are played or sung, including how they are started, sustained, and ended, which is crucial for achieving legato.