Legato
Encyclopedia
In musical notation
the Italian word legato (literally meaning "tied together") indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected. That is, in transitioning from note to note, there should be no intervening silence. Legato technique is required for slurred
performance, but unlike slurring (as that term is interpreted for some instruments), legato does not forbid rearticulation. In standard notation legato is indicated either with the word legato itself, or by a slur (a curved line) under the notes that are to be joined in one legato group. Legato, like staccato
, is a kind of articulation
. There is an intermediate articulation called either mezzo staccato or non-legato.
, that are played with the shortest silence, often barely perceptible, between notes. This may be achieved through controlled wrist movements of the bowing hand, often masked or enhanced with vibrato
. Such a legato style of playing may also be associated with the use of portamento
.
(apart from classical guitar) legato is used interchangeably as a label for both musical articulation and a particular application of technique—that of playing musical phrases with predominantly hammer-ons or pull-offs instead of picking. The use of legato technique to provide legato articulation on electric guitar will generally require playing notes that are close and on the same string, following the first note with others that are played by the techniques just mentioned although some guitar virtuosos (notably Allan Holdsworth and Shawn Lane) developed their legato technique to the extent that they could perform extremely complex passages involving any numerical permutation of notes on a string at extreme tempos and particularly in the case of Holdsworth demonstrate a tendency to eschew pull-offs entirely for their detrimental affect on guitar tone as the string is pulled slightly sideways. Although the origins of term are unclear when crossing strings and relying solely on fretting hand strength to produce a note the term "Hammer-ons from nowhere" is commonly employed. Many guitar virtuosos are well-versed in the legato technique, as it allows for rapid and also "clean" runs. Multiple hammer-ons and pull-offs together are sometimes also referred to colloquially as "rolls," a reference to the fluid sound of the technique. A rapid series of hammer-ons and pull-offs between a single pair of notes is called a trill
. When playing legato on guitar, it is common for the musician to play more notes within a beat than the stated timing, i.e. playing 5 (a quintuplet) or 7 (a septuplet) notes against a quarter-note instead of the usual even number or triplet. This gives the passage an unusual timing and when played slowly an unusual sound. However, this is less noticeable by ear when played fast, as legato usually is. There is a fine line between what is legato and what is two hand finger tapping, in some cases making the two techniques harder to distinguish by ear. Generally, legato is used to add a more fluid, smooth sound to the passage being played.
s legato is a type of monophonic operation. In contrast to the typical monophonic mode where every new note rearticulates the sound by restarting the envelope generators, in legato mode the envelopes are not retriggered if the new note is played "legato" (with the previous note still depressed). This causes the initial transient from the attack and decay phases to sound only once for an entire legato sequence of notes. Envelopes reaching the sustain stage remain there until the final note is released.
singing, legato can be defined as a string of sustained vowels with minimal interruption from consonants. Usually referred to as "the line", a good, smooth legato is still a necessity for any successful classical singer. It was a key characteristic of the bel canto
style of vocalism that prevailed among voice teachers and singers during the 18th century and the first four decades of the 19th century. In Western Classical vocal music any phrase which is not marked explicitly with any articulation marks, e.g. staccato
, is expected to be "sung legato". Usually the most prevalent issue concerning the vocal legato is the maintenance of the "line" across registers.
There are other, unorthodox viewpoints. For example Kendra Colton, a faculty member of the Voice Department at Oberlin Conservatory, believes in separating phrases into two or three word units, and adding large separatory articulations between each unit, and before any word starting with a vowel.
Musical notation
Music notation or musical notation is any system that represents aurally perceived music, through the use of written symbols.-History:...
the Italian word legato (literally meaning "tied together") indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected. That is, in transitioning from note to note, there should be no intervening silence. Legato technique is required for slurred
Slur (music)
A slur is a symbol in Western musical notation indicating that the notes it embraces are to be played without separation. This implies legato articulation, and in music for bowed string instruments, it also indicates the notes should be played in one bow; and in music for wind instruments, that the...
performance, but unlike slurring (as that term is interpreted for some instruments), legato does not forbid rearticulation. In standard notation legato is indicated either with the word legato itself, or by a slur (a curved line) under the notes that are to be joined in one legato group. Legato, like staccato
Staccato
Staccato is a form of musical articulation. In modern notation it signifies a note of shortened duration and separated from the note that may follow by silence...
, is a kind of articulation
Articulation (music)
In music, articulation refers to the musical direction performance technique which affects the transition or continuity on a single note or between multiple notes or sounds.- Types of articulations :...
. There is an intermediate articulation called either mezzo staccato or non-legato.
Classical stringed instruments
In music for classical stringed instruments, legato is an articulation which often refers to notes played with a full bowBow (music)
In music, a bow is moved across some part of a musical instrument, causing vibration which the instrument emits as sound. The vast majority of bows are used with string instruments, although some bows are used with musical saws and other bowed idiophones....
, that are played with the shortest silence, often barely perceptible, between notes. This may be achieved through controlled wrist movements of the bowing hand, often masked or enhanced with vibrato
Vibrato
Vibrato is a musical effect consisting of a regular, pulsating change of pitch. It is used to add expression to vocal and instrumental music. Vibrato is typically characterised in terms of two factors: the amount of pitch variation and the speed with which the pitch is varied .-Vibrato and...
. Such a legato style of playing may also be associated with the use of portamento
Portamento
Portamento is a musical term originated from the Italian expression "portamento della voce" , denoting from the beginning of the 17th century a vocal slide between two pitches and its emulation by members of the violin family and certain wind instruments, and is sometimes used...
.
Guitar
In guitar playingGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(apart from classical guitar) legato is used interchangeably as a label for both musical articulation and a particular application of technique—that of playing musical phrases with predominantly hammer-ons or pull-offs instead of picking. The use of legato technique to provide legato articulation on electric guitar will generally require playing notes that are close and on the same string, following the first note with others that are played by the techniques just mentioned although some guitar virtuosos (notably Allan Holdsworth and Shawn Lane) developed their legato technique to the extent that they could perform extremely complex passages involving any numerical permutation of notes on a string at extreme tempos and particularly in the case of Holdsworth demonstrate a tendency to eschew pull-offs entirely for their detrimental affect on guitar tone as the string is pulled slightly sideways. Although the origins of term are unclear when crossing strings and relying solely on fretting hand strength to produce a note the term "Hammer-ons from nowhere" is commonly employed. Many guitar virtuosos are well-versed in the legato technique, as it allows for rapid and also "clean" runs. Multiple hammer-ons and pull-offs together are sometimes also referred to colloquially as "rolls," a reference to the fluid sound of the technique. A rapid series of hammer-ons and pull-offs between a single pair of notes is called a trill
Trill (music)
The trill is a musical ornament consisting of a rapid alternation between two adjacent notes, usually a semitone or tone apart, which can be identified with the context of the trill....
. When playing legato on guitar, it is common for the musician to play more notes within a beat than the stated timing, i.e. playing 5 (a quintuplet) or 7 (a septuplet) notes against a quarter-note instead of the usual even number or triplet. This gives the passage an unusual timing and when played slowly an unusual sound. However, this is less noticeable by ear when played fast, as legato usually is. There is a fine line between what is legato and what is two hand finger tapping, in some cases making the two techniques harder to distinguish by ear. Generally, legato is used to add a more fluid, smooth sound to the passage being played.
Synthesizers
In synthesizerSynthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s legato is a type of monophonic operation. In contrast to the typical monophonic mode where every new note rearticulates the sound by restarting the envelope generators, in legato mode the envelopes are not retriggered if the new note is played "legato" (with the previous note still depressed). This causes the initial transient from the attack and decay phases to sound only once for an entire legato sequence of notes. Envelopes reaching the sustain stage remain there until the final note is released.
Vocal music
In classicalClassical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
singing, legato can be defined as a string of sustained vowels with minimal interruption from consonants. Usually referred to as "the line", a good, smooth legato is still a necessity for any successful classical singer. It was a key characteristic of the bel canto
Bel canto
Bel canto , along with a number of similar constructions , is an Italian opera term...
style of vocalism that prevailed among voice teachers and singers during the 18th century and the first four decades of the 19th century. In Western Classical vocal music any phrase which is not marked explicitly with any articulation marks, e.g. staccato
Staccato
Staccato is a form of musical articulation. In modern notation it signifies a note of shortened duration and separated from the note that may follow by silence...
, is expected to be "sung legato". Usually the most prevalent issue concerning the vocal legato is the maintenance of the "line" across registers.
There are other, unorthodox viewpoints. For example Kendra Colton, a faculty member of the Voice Department at Oberlin Conservatory, believes in separating phrases into two or three word units, and adding large separatory articulations between each unit, and before any word starting with a vowel.