Legato - definition of legato by The Free Dictionary Legato - definition of legato by The Free Dictionary (lĭ-gä′tō) Music adv. & adj. Abbr. leg. In a smooth, even style without any noticeable break between the notes. Used chiefly as a direction. n. pl. le·ga·tos A legato passage or movement. [Italian, past participle of legare, to bind, tie together, from Latin ligāre; see leig- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] legato (Music, other) to be performed smoothly and connectedly n, pl -tos a. a style of playing in which no perceptible gaps are left between notes b. (as modifier): a legato passage. [C19: from Italian, literally: bound] le•ga•to smooth and connected; without breaks between the successive tones. Compare staccato.

[1805–15; < Italian, past participle of legare to bind, tie < Latin ligāre; compare league 1] legato smooth music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner disconnected , staccato - (music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply; "staccato applause"; "a staccato command"; "staccato notes" Adv. legato - connecting the notes; in music; "play this legato, please" staccato - separating the notes; in music; "play this staccato, please" Translations B. ADV → ligado C. N → ligadura f Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: staccato References in periodicals archive ? As Microsoft's prime integrator for Windows NT solutions, Compaq Computer Corporation works with leading-edge companies, like Legato Systems, to deliver superior applications," said Gerard van de Aast, vice president, Digital Global Alliances.

LEGATO Helps Drive ILM With Information Protection Software for EMC's Networked Storage Platforms Michael Sullivan, program manager for PENREN, said, "With LEGATO Software, the Pentagon Renovation Office is deploying a high-performance, automated availability solution capable of meeting the 24-by-7 continuity of operations requirements of the Department of Defense. Copyright © 2003-2017 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Glossary of Musical Terms Glossary of Musical Terms One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment. Accelerando - A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo. Accessible - Music that is easy to listen to and understand. Adagio - A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease. Allegro - A direction to play lively and fast. Atonal - Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.

Baroque - Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional, flowery music; written in strict form. Beat - The unit of musical rhythm. Cadence - A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase, either in the middle or the end of a composition. Cadenza - Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto, featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist. Cadenza - Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer. Canon - A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds, backwards, or inverted. Cantabile - A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition. Cantata - Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature. Capriccio - A quick, improvisational, spirited piece of music. Carol - A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.

Castrato - Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range. Cavatina - A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece. Chamber music - Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance. Chant - Singing in unison, texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech. Choir - Group of singers in a chorus. Chorale - A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison. Chord - 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony. Chord progression - A string of chords played in succession. Chorus - A group singing in unison. Chromatic scale - Includes all twelve notes of an octave. Classical - The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700s to mid 1800s. The music was spare and emotionally reserved, especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music. Classicism - The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800s and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.

Clavier - The keyboard of a stringed instrument. Clef - In sheet music, a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff. Coda - Closing section of a movement. Concert master - The first violin in an orchestra. Concerto - A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment. Conductor - One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo, phrasing, dynamics, and style by gestures and facial expressions. Consonance - Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord. Contralto - Two or three melodic lines played at the same time. Courante - A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance. Da Capo - In sheet music, an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord. Deceptive cadence - A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not. Development - Where the musical themes and melodies are developed, written in sonata form. Dissonance - Harsh, discordant, and lack of harmony.

Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord. Drone - Dull, monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody. Duet - A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists. Dynamics - Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume. Elegy - An instrumental lament with praise for the dead. Encore - A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance, shown by continuous applause. Energico - A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically. Enharmonic Interval - Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position. For example: C sharp and D flat. Ensemble - The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus. Espressivo - A direction to play expressively. Etude - A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest. Exposition - The first section of a movement written in sonata form, introducing the melodies and themes.

Expressionism - Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind. Falsetto - A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords, the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female. Fermata - To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer. Fifth - The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes. Finale - Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition. Flat - A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone. Form - The structure of a piece of music. Forte - A symbol indicating to play loud. Fourth - The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes. Fugue - A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition, each voice enters at different times, creating counterpoint with one another. Galliard - Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time. Gavotte - A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time, always beginning on the third beat of the measure.

Glee - Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts, usually without instrumental accompaniment. Glissando - Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly. Grave - Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious. Grazioso - Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully. Gregorian Chant - Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service. Harmony - Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions. Homophony - Music written to be sung or played in unison. Hymn - A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God. Impromptu - A short piano piece, often improvisational and intimate in character. Instrumentation - Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments. Interlude - Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera. Intermezzo - Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.

Interpretation - The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument. Interval - The distance in pitch between two notes. Intonation - The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch. Introduction - The opening section of a piece of music or movement. Key - System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note. Key signature - The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played. Klangfarbenmelodie - The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line. Leading note - The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic. Legato - Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly. Leitmotif - A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera. Libretto - A book of text containing the words of an opera. Ligature - Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase. Madrigal - A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices, usually without accompaniment.

Maestro - Refers to any great composer, conductor, or teacher of music. Major - One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character. March - A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions. Measure - The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two, three, four beats to a measure. Medley - Often used in overtures, a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety. Mezzo - The voice between soprano and alto. Also, in sheet music, a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed. Minor - One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark, melancholic mood. Minuet - Slow and stately dance music written in triple time. Modes - Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor. Modulation - To shift to another key. Monotone - Repetition of a single tone. Motif - Primary theme or subject that is developed. Movement - A separate section of a larger composition.

Musette - A Boroque dance with a drone-bass. Musicology - The study of forms, history, science, and methods of music. Natural - A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished. Neoclassical - Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct. Nocturne - A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations. Nonet - A composition written for nine instruments. Notation - First developed in the 8th century, methods of writing music. Obbligato - An extended solo, often accompanying the vocal part of an aria. Octave - Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends. Octet - A composition written for eight instruments. Opera - A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken. Operetta - A short light musical drama. Opus - Convenient method of numbering a composers works where a number follows the word opus. For example, Opus 28, No. 4. Oratorio - An extended cantata on a sacred subject. Orchestra - A large group of instrumentalists playing together.

Orchestration - Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also, the study of music. Ornaments - Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone. Ostinato - A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes. Pentatonic Scale - A musical scale having five notes. For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale. Phrase - A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence. Piano - An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a p. Pitch - The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds. Pizzicato - String instruments that are picked instead of bowed. Polyphony - Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint. Polytonality - Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time. Portamento - A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect. Prelude - A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work, also an orchestral introduction to opera, however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.

Presto - A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast. Progression - The movement of chords in succession. Quadrille - A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples. Quartet - A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts. Quintet - A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts. Recapitulation - A solo concert with or without accompaniment. Recitative - A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free. Reed - The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound. Refrain - A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song. Register - A portion of the range of the instrument or voice. Relative major and minor - The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key. For example: A minor shares the same note as C major. Relative pitch - Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it. Renaissance - A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries.

This period signified the rebirth of music, art, and literature. Reprise - To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played. Requiem - A dirge, hymn, or musical service for the repose of the dead. Resonance - When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches, all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck. Rhythm - The element of music pertaining to time, played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats. Ricercar - Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods. Rigaudon - A quick 20th century dance written in double time. Rococo - A musical style characterized as excessive, ornamental, and trivial. Romantic - A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional, expressive, and imaginative style. Rondo - A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works. Root - The principal note of a triad.

Round - A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins, the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously. Rubato - An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone. Scale - Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending. Scherzo - Pertaining to the sonata form, a fast movement in triple time. Scordatura - The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color. Septet - A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts. Sequence - A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches. Serenade - A lighthearted piece, written in several movements, usually as background music for a social function. Sextet - A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts. Sharp - A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone. Slide - A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.

Slur - Short detached notes, as opposed to legato. Staff - Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written. Stretto - Pertaining to the fugue, the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart. String Quartet - A group of 4 instruments, two violins, a viola, and cello. Suite - A loose collection of instrumental compositions. Symphony - Three to four movement orchestral piece, generally in sonata form. System - A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments. Tablature - A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions. Temperament - Refers to the tuning of an instrument. Tempo - The range of an instrumental or a vocal part. Theme - A melodic or, sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form. Timbre - Tone color, quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound. Time Signature - A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.

Tonal - Pertains to tone or tones. Tonality - The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone. Tone - The intonation, pitch, and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning, feeling, or attitude of the music. Tone less - The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote. Treble - The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing. Tremolo - Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes. Triad - Three note chords consisting of a root, third, and fifth. Trill - Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart. Trio - A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three persons. Time signature with three beats to the measure. Triplet - Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats. Tritone - A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth. Tune - A rhythmic succession of musical tones, a melody for instruments and voices. Tuning - The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.

Tutti - Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist. Twelve-tone music - Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times. Unison - Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously. Verismo - A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composers own time, and the characters are modeled after every day life. Vibrato - Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes. Virtuoso - A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music. Vivace - Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk, lively, and spirited manner. Voice - One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice. Waltz - A dance written in triple time, where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure. Whole note - A whole note is equal to 2 half notes, 4 quarter notes, 8 eighth notes, etc.

Whole-tone scale - Celestra - definition of Celestra by The Free Dictionary Celestra - definition of Celestra by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . le·ga·to (lĭ-gä′tō) Music adv. & adj. Abbr. leg. In a smooth, even style without any noticeable break between the notes. Used chiefly as a direction. n. pl. le·ga·tos A legato passage or movement. [Italian, past participle of legare, to bind, tie together, from Latin ligāre; see leig- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] legato (Music, other) to be performed smoothly and connectedly n, pl -tos a. a style of playing in which no perceptible gaps are left between notes b. (as modifier): a legato passage. [C19: from Italian, literally: bound] le•ga•to smooth and connected; without breaks between the successive tones. Compare staccato.

[1805–15; < Italian, past participle of legare to bind, tie < Latin ligāre; compare league 1] legato smooth music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner disconnected , staccato - (music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply; "staccato applause"; "a staccato command"; "staccato notes" Adv. legato - connecting the notes; in music; "play this legato, please" staccato - separating the notes; in music; "play this staccato, please" Translations B. ADV → ligado C. N → ligadura f Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: staccato References in periodicals archive ?

In addition, the Alacritus has employed the core engineering resources that has created and brought to market such industry advances as Celestra for serverless backup, the Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP), and Third Party Copy, among many others, such as BudTool, the first backup and restore tool for networked, UNIX-based environments. Legato Gathers Consensus Around SAN Data Movement Standards The principals of Alacritus continue in the tradition responsible for many key storage industry technological breakthroughs, including Chronospan for Time Addressable Storage, Celestra for serverless backup, the Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) co-developed with NetApp, Third Party Copy, and the first backup and restore tool for networked, UNIX-based environments. legato and staccato Check out Clarinet Shoes here. Harpers Dictionary of Music – Legato & Staccato definitions Legato – A direction to perform smoothly, without any break between notes. The opposite of legato is STACCATO, calling for sharply detached notes. Staccato – A direction to perform a note quickly, lightly, and separated from the notes before and after it.

Staccato performance in practice reduces the time value of a note by one-half or more; thus a quarter note, performed staccato, lasts only as long as an eighth note, the rest of its value being replaced by silence… Staccato normally is indicated by a dot over or under the note to be so performed; sometimes the abbreviation stacc. appears. A series of dots combined with a slur indicates a kind of half-staccato called PORTATO. A short dash usually indicates a more pronounced staccato, slightly accented. Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary - Legato and Staccato definitions Legato – in a manner that is smooth and connected (as between successive tones) – used especially as a direction in music. Legato - a smooth and connected manner of performances (as of music); also: a passage of music so performed. Staccato – 1. a: cut short or apart in performing; DISCONNECTED b: marked by short clear-cut playing or singing of tones or chords 2: ABRUPT, DISJOINTED. Staccato Mark: A pointed vertical stroke or a dot placed over or under a musical note to be produced staccato.

The New Harvard Dictionary of Music – Legato and Staccato definitions Legato – Played smoothly with no separation between successive notes; the opposite of staccato. Although it is sometimes specified by means of a slur, which on wind and bowed instrument calls for no articulation of successive notes (i.e., no tonguing or change of bow), the term itself does not necessarily imply the absence of articulation, but only a very smooth articulation. Staccato – Detached. Notes to be played in this fashion, marked by a dot (now most common), a solid black wedge, or a vertical stroke above or below, are decisively shortened in duration and thus clearly separated from the note following. A light accent is also implied. The term is thus the opposite of legato. One common problem with the staccato definition is the absence of the use of the word LIGHT. At least Harper’s used the word “lightly” in its definition. Light and detached is commonly taught with the use of the term staccato. LEGATO AND STACCATO: WHY ARE THESE TERMS SO IMPORTANT AND WHAT IS THE TRICK TO ARTICULATING ON CLARINET WELL AND EVENTUALLY FAST?

ANSWER: In legato and staccato articulation, use the SAME kind of light articulating motion!!! Also, if you wish to build speed, concentrate MOSTLY on legato articulation. Why should I concentrate mostly on legato articulation? Legato articulation is one of the hardest concepts to teach young clarinetists. Getting your tongue to work ultra-efficiently and close to the reed can take a great deal of patience. Once your legato tonguing speeds increase and increase; eventually, your understanding of the legato tongue motion can be applied to the staccato tongue motion. Staccato tonguing uses the exact “light” technique as legato tonguing; it just “deadens” the sound of the pitch to create “daylight” or silence between the notes. When you approach speeding up your articulation from the staccato side. In other words, you are putting daylight between all the notes and wish to increase the speed. Often, you are trying to articulate too hard and therefore not able to increase the speed. See, many people spend so much time stopping the pitches in staccato articulation that they cannot increase their speed. Now, let’s say you really need to put daylight between notes.

If you have taught yourself how to correctly do legato articulation, teaching yourself a good staccato articulation is even easier. When you actually stop the vibrations of the reed during the “silent” part of the staccato, it is not a HARD TONGUE MOTION but a very LIGHT TONGUE MOTION. rochelle In this section we will discuss the first method, finger articulation. Legato Legato is indicated by either a slur over or under two or more notes of different names, or the word legato printed in the score. Legato means: connected, in an even, smooth and gliding manner. To play legato, play the note until the next note starts, without creating a gap between notes. When playing finger legato, the movement of the two fingers, one lifting up and one pushing down, has to be executed exactly at the same time. It is not possible to play finger legato using the same finger, because the time needed to lift up the finger and push it down again always creates a noticeable gap between the notes. Always keep your fingers close to the keys.

The finger 'speed' of both movements, lifting up and pushing down, should be the same, especially when alternating left and right hand. Make sure the pressure points are even (see holding the instrument). If you use your playing fingers also to hold the instrument, you might find it hard to lift up your finger on time. This will cause the notes to overlap. Legato slur The bar indicates the sound of the note. Portato Portato is indicated by a short line over or under a note, or the combination of a slur and staccato dot. It can also be indicated by the word portato printed in the score. Portato means: lengthened, sustained. To play portato, sound the note about 50-75% of the length of the notated value. The notes should always be separated by a rest. Finger-portato is probably the easiest articulation form to perform. Because of the time between two notes, it does not require any special technique. Pay attention to the lifting up of your finger, which determines the length of the tone you are playing. If you play several portato notes in succession, make sure they are the same length.

Again, make sure your pressure points are even (see holding the instrument). If you use your playing fingers also to hold the instrument, you might find it hard to lift up your finger on time, which results in an uneven portato. Portato notation The bar indicates the length (50%) of the tone Staccato Staccato is indicated by a dot over or under a note. It can also be indicated by the word staccato printed in the score. Staccato means: detached, separated. Just as with portato, the actual sound of a staccato note is shorter than the notated value. The actual length of the tone should be about 10-20% of the notated value. Finger-staccato is the hardest finger articulation form to perform, because of the speed of the finger movement required, and the unevenness of the fingers, especially the weaker fingers 3 and 4 (ring and little finger). When you try to play staccato by 'tapping' your fingers on the keys, you'll notice that it is impossible to obtain evenness between the fingers. Your index and middle finger will perform a 'crispier' staccato than the ring and little finger.

The best way to guarantee uniform staccato with all fingers, is to reverse the movement. When you pull away your fingers, instead of tapping, you will use your hand muscles. Since these muscles are used for all fingers, this will automatically guarantee the required degree of evenness. The actual movement can best be compared to the movement you'll make when you touch something very hot. When you pull away your hand in this manner, the finger touching a key at that moment will first go down before lifting up. It makes a jumping movement. The finger itself does not do anything, it passively follows the hand. In order to allow your hand the degree of flexibility required to perform this movement, make sure your pressure points are even (see holding the instrument). Again, if you use your playing fingers also to hold the instrument, it will be impossible to perform this hand movement. Violin Online - Violin Basics - Music Glossary Grandioso Play with majestic grandeur. Grave Play in a slow and solemn manner. Harmonics Harmonics are overtones of the string and produce soft flutelike sounds when the string is lightly touched at specific fractional divisions (nodal points).

Natural harmonics are produced on open strings, and artificial or stopped harmonics are produced on stopped strings. Harmony Harmony is created when pitches are combined simultaneously. Homophonic A form of musical texture with a melody and chordal accompaniment. Hornpipe A lively British dance, popular during the 16th–18th centuries. The country dance version of the hornpipe was similar to the jig, but with a different meter (often in 3/2). Composers frequently used the lively country dance rhythm of the hornpipe dance for movements in dance suites and incidental theater music. Other meters used in the hornpipe dance were 2/4 and 4/4. Impressionism Impressionism began as an artistic movement, and was used to describe a style of art which was designed to convey an impression rather than a literal depiction of the scene. This term was applied to music, particularly to compositions written by French composers in the early 20th century such as Debussy and Ravel when they wrote music that sought to convey subtle impressions, moods and emotions through compositional techniques such as new chord combinations, sonorities and harmonies, colorful instrumentation, and exotic scales.

Incidental music Music supplementing a spoken drama such as music composed for a play. Incidental music could be introducing a play (such as an overture), between acts (an interlude), or as a supplement to spoken parts or dramatic elements. Jeté Jeté means "thrown" in French. In this bow stroke, the bow is thrown on the string, and then bounces for several notes in the same bow direction. The height and speed of the bounce are regulated through factors such as the amount of pressure used by the index finger, and where the bow is initially thrown or placed. Dots above or under the notes may be used to indicate jeté. Largamente Play with a large, broad and sustained tone. Larghetto Slightly faster than largo, larghetto is a similarly broad, large and stately tempo and style. Largo A broad, slow tempo that is dignified and stately in style. Largo is the slowest of tempo markings. Legato Legato indicates the notes should be smoothly connected, played either in one or several bows. Slurs are often used to indicate legato. Lento Lento means slow in Italian (lent in French).

Lento and lent are both slow tempos in between largo and andante. Louré Louré strokes are a short series of gently pulsed legato notes executed in one bow stroke (it is also known as portato). Madrigal A madrigal is an Italian song form, often with Italian text. It is a short work in one movement, sung by a small group of vocalists. Madrigal texts were often set to music using word painting (where the melody would follow the line of the text, e.g. waterfall would have music in the contour of falling water). Maestoso Majestic and dignified. Marcato An Italian term which means marked or accentuated. Martelé Martelé is a French term meaning hammered. Each note is percussive, and commences with a sharp accent or "pinch" at the beginning of the note, followed by a quick release. Martelé may be notated in more than one way: with dots, hammer heads or accents. Mass The Mass is the principal act of worship of the Catholic Church. As a vocal form, the Mass has been used in almost all periods of music history. It has two basic parts—the Proper and the Ordinary.

Sections of the Mass that vary from day to day in each musical service are called the Proper. The Ordinary of the Mass consists of sections that are constant for every Mass. The fixed order of the Ordinary of the Mass is 1) Kyrie, 2) Gloria, 3) Credo, 4) Sanctus, and 5) Agnus Dei. The text of the Mass is given either as a Low Mass or High Mass. A Low Mass involves spoken text, while a High Mass is sung. Meno Meno means less. It often is used with other terms such as meno mosso (less rapid or less motion). Meter The grouping of beats in stressed and unstressed patterns. Mezzo forte Moderately loud. Mezzo forte is indicated by the marking: mf Mezzo piano Moderately soft. Mezzo piano is indicated by the marking: mp Mode Modes are often used to structure the melody or tonality of a piece, and are comprised of notes arranged in a specific scale or pattern of intervals. Moderato Moderato means to play at a moderate tempo or speed. This term sometimes modifies others such as Allegro moderato, which means moderately fast.

Modo ordinario Modo means "manner" or "style" and ordinario means ordinary. Modo ordinario means play in the ordinary way (often used after an unusual way of playing such as col legno). Monophony Monophony is a musical texture for a single melodic line without any accompaniment or other melodic lines. Mosso Mosso means moved. When used alone as a tempo term, the meaning of mosso is similar to con moto: with motion. Mosso is sometimes used with other qualifying terms such as piu mosso, meaning a little faster (more motion). Motet Motet generally means a vocal piece with sacred text, musically composed in the style of the period. During the 13th-15th centuries, motets were sacred, unaccompanied choral works, often based on a preexisting melody and text. New melodies were then added to the preexisting melody, usually in counterpoint. Beginning in the 16th century, the preexisting melody frequently was secular. Motive A short melodic or rhythmic idea that recurs throughout a musical composition. Moto Moto means motion. It is often used with other terms such as con moto (with motion).

Multiple stops Multiple stops describe chords played on a stringed instruments. For example, double stops describe playing notes simultaneously on two strings, and triple stops mean playing notes simultaneously on three strings. Muted A direction for the musician to play with a mute. For string players, mutes are small clamps of wood, metal, rubber, leather or plastic, which fit onto the bridge and result in a softer, muted sound with a veiled quality. To mute something is also indicated by the Italian term con sordino or the German term mit dampfer. The terms arco (bow), via sordini (take off mute) and senza sordino (without mute) are used to indicate when the muted section ends and the musician should resume playing with a bow. Notation The writing down of musical notes and symbols to represent pitch, rhythm, and melodies. Office The regular round of prayer and worship in monastic communities. Opera A musical form of drama, originating in Italy, set to music. In an opera, most or all of the text is sung, using musical forms such as arias, songs, recitatives, duets, and choruses, with instrumental accompaniment.

A few of the various subcategories of opera include heroic or grand opera, comedy opera and comic opera. Oral tradition Oral tradition means that music is passed down from one musician to another orally, instead of through notated music. Oratorio An oratorio is a large musical work, generally based on a sacred text or religious topic, with soloists, chorus and orchestra. Although many musical elements of an oratorio are similar to opera, no costumes, sets or acting are used, and oratorios are usually performed as a concert. Ordinario Ordinario or ord. means ordinary, and is used to indicate a return to ordinary playing after playing a special effect such as col legno or sul ponticello. Ostinato Ostinato means "obstinate" in Italian. An ostinato is a short musical pattern, e.g. a melodic, rhythmic or harmonic figure, persistently repeated throughout a composition. A melodic pattern set in the bass is called basso ostinato (and is also known as ground bass). Patronage A system of employment for musicians whereby a composer agreed to exclusive employment under the auspices of a patron. Patrons often were wealthy aristocrats or the church.

Phrase A musical idea or passage of music that is short, continuous and unbroken; similar to a musical sentence. Pianissimo Very soft. Pianissimo is indicated by the marking: pp Pianississimo As soft as possible. Pianississimo is indicated by the marking: ppp Piano Soft. Piano is indicated by the marking: p Pitch Pitch is the relative "highness" or "lowness" of a sound when compared with other notes. It can also indicate an absolute fixed position in a range of musical notes (e.g. the pitch "middle C"). Piu More. Pizzicato Pizzicato (pizz.) is a term that means the string is plucked with the finger instead of being bowed. Plainchant Also known as plainsong, chant or Gregorian Chant. Plainchant is a single melody, sung in unison by a soloist or choir, often using Latin words and a liturgical text. Poco Poco means "little" or slightly. A poco a poco means little by little or gradually. Poco modifies other terms when added to them such as poco diminuendo, meaning to become slightly softer.

Polyphony Polyphony is a form of musical texture with several interdependent, overlapping melodic lines. Portamento Portamento is an expressive device, and is a slide from one pitch to another. Prelude A prelude is a piece which often serves as a musical introduction or prelude to a larger musical work (it sometimes is a short, independent instrumental piece in one movement). Presto A fast, rapid and lively tempo, faster than allegro. Program music Instrumental music which represents extra-musical concepts such as emotions, scenes or events through the music, not through words. It is also sometimes called descriptive music. Punta d’arco Punta d’arco is a bowing direction to bow at the point or tip of the bow (punta means point, and arco means bow). Quasi Quasi means "as if," "almost," or "nearly." It is often used to modify terms e.g. allegretto quasi andantino, meaning an allegretto tempo almost at an andantino tempo. Rallentando Rallentando means gradually becoming slower. It also is abbreviated as rall.

Recitative A speechlike, declamatory form of singing used in vocal works such as operas, oratorios, and cantatas. Recitatives are often characterized by rhythmic freedom. Religioso Play in a devotional or religious style. Repeat Signs. A double bar with two dots is a repeat marking, and indicates the music in between the repeat signs should be repeated. If there is only one repeat sign with the dots facing to the left, go back to the beginning and play the entire section of music again (for more repeat sign variations, see Da capo, da segno, D.C. al Fine, D.C. al Coda, and first and second endings). Requiem A Requiem Mass is a Mass for the dead. Ricochet Ricochet is a bow stroke where the bow is dropped on the string and rebounds (bounces) on the string for several notes in the same bow direction. Riff A riff is a short, repeated melodic pattern, and is often used in jazz. Risoluto Resolutely; play in a resolute and decisive manner. Ritardando Gradually become slower and slower (the same meaning as rallentando). Ritardando is often abbreviated as rit.

Rondeau A French musical term used during the Baroque era to describe a musical composition with a main section or theme which alternates with subsidiary sections or themes. This musical form was later expanded during the Classical era to become the musical form Rondo. Rubato Rubato means "robbed." It refers to a temporary robbing of time by either slowing or speeding the tempo or rhythmic value of notes in a passage of music. Sautillé Sautillé is a fast, bouncing or springing stroke in which the bow naturally bounces off of the string, producing a lighter, more rapid, and less percussive sound than spiccato. Scale An ascending or descending arrangement of pitches. Scherzo The term scherzo literally means "joke." In music, it is used to either describe an instrumental piece with a light, humorous character, or the second or third movement of a symphony or quartet (in place of the minuet). Scherzos often have a quick triple meter, a vigorous rhythm and a sharply contrasting harmony. Scordatura Scordatura means abnormal tuning, and indicates one or more strings should be tuned higher or lower than usual (specific tuning directions for the new pitches are generally provided). Semplice Simply.

Semplice means to perform in a simple, unadorned, natural manner. Sforzando Sforzando means forced or accented, and is usually attached to a single note or chord. It generally indicates the note should be played loudly with a sudden, accented emphasis, and is indicated by the marking: sfz Simile In a similar manner. Simile is often used to indicate a passage of music should be performed in the same manner as a preceding section. Slur A slur is a curved line grouping notes together, and means the notes included in the slur should be played in the same bow . Unless otherwise indicated, notes in the slur should be played legato (smoothly). When slurs are used with dots over or under the notes, this indicates a slight separation should be used between the notes (the terms slurred staccato or dotted slurs are often used to describe this technique). When a slur is placed between two notes with the same pitch, this is called a "tie" and the two notes are played in one bow for the duration of both notes.

Sonata The word sonata comes from the Italian word sonore, meaning "to be played" (as opposed to cantata, a vocal work which means "to be sung"). A sonata is an instrumental form of music, and describes a multi-movement work for an instrument, often with accompaniment. The term has had varied meanings during different music eras, and during the Baroque period, the trio sonata was one of the most popular forms of sonata (often for two violins and continuo). During the Classical period, sonata came to mean a multi-movement work for a solo instrument with piano accompaniment, or piano alone. Sonata form Sonata form is often used in the first movement in multi-movement works such as symphonies. It consists of an exposition section, followed by a development section, and concludes with a recapitulation. Spiccato Spiccato is an off-the-string, controlled bouncing bow stroke which produces a crisp sound and very short notes. It is the slowest of the bouncing strokes. Dots above or under the notes may be used to indicate spiccato.

Staccato Staccato indicates the bow should remain on the string to play shortened and detached notes, distinctly separate from successive notes. Staccato is sometimes used with slurs (slurred staccato) for a series of short, stopped notes played in the same up or down bow (many violinists perform slurred staccato as a series of slurred martelé strokes). String Quartet A string quartet is a composition for four stringed instruments: two violins, a viola and a cello. String quartet music generally is composed in a multi-movement form. The term string quartet is also used to describe a performance group comprised of four stringed instruments. Suite A suite may be described as a collection of pieces, put together in an ordered manner. During the Baroque era, pieces in a suite were often dance forms such as: prelude, allemande, courante, saraband, gigue, bourre, gavotte, and minuet. After the Baroque era, suites were generally pieces extracted from a larger work such as The Nutcracker Suite, a compilation of pieces taken from the ballet The Nutcracker.

Sul Sul means "on the" or "near the." Sul is used in terms such as sul tasto (bow over or near the fingerboard), sul ponticello (bow near the bridge), or sul G (play on the G string and only the G string until otherwise indicated). In violin music, when only a specific string should be used for particular passages, sul is sometimes used with numerals such as sul IV to indicate only one string should be used (G, the fourth string, is indicated by the numeral IV, A is III, D is II and E is I). Sul ponticello Sul ponticello is a bowing direction to play with the bow near the bridge. The result is a glassy, whispery sound. Sul tasto Sul tasto is a bowing direction to bow over or near the fingerboard. The resulting sound is soft and flutelike (see flautando). Syllabic In vocal music, syllabic, neumatic and melismatic are terms used to indicate whether the syllables of the text are sung to a single note (syllabic), several notes (neumatic), or many notes per syllable (melismatic).

Symphonic Poem A symphonic poem is a programmatic orchestral work, often in one movement. It is also known as a tone poem. In a symphonic poem, extra musical ideas such as emotions, scenes or events, are expressed through the music, not through words. Symphony A symphony is an extended composition for orchestra and is often comprised of three to five movements. Syncopation Rhythmic patterns with unexpected accents. Syncopation is generally achieved by shifting the musical accent from a strong beat to a weak one. This results in an irregular feel to the rhythm. Tempo Tempo means the rate of speed or pace of the music. Tempo also may be used with other qualifying words such as "a tempo," meaning return to the original tempo or speed. Various tempo markings are used to indicate directions for the rate of speed such as andante (moderately slow) and allegro (fast). Metronome markings are another way to specify even more precisely the tempo of music e.g. = 60 means each quarter note should be played at the speed of 60 quarter notes per minute. Tempo di valse Play the music at the rate of speed or pace of a waltz.

Tenuto Tenuto means the note(s) should be played sustained or broadly, and held for its whole value. A line placed under or over the note is usually used to indicate tenuto: _. Theme A theme is the main musical subject of a composition such as a melody, phrase or short motive. Theme & variations A composition with a theme and variations of that theme. Tie When a slur is placed between two notes with the same pitch, this is called a "tie" and the two notes are played in one bow for the duration of both notes. Time Signature A sign or fraction placed at the beginning of a piece to show how many beats are in each measure. For example, a time signature of 3/4 indicates each measure contains three quarter notes. Tremolo Tremolo means rapidly repeating a single note or chord (see bowing chart for more details). Trill A trill ornaments a note, and is a rapid alternation between two pitches, usually a major or minor second above the note. The letters tr and a wavy symbol are used as trill markings. Accidentals are often used to indicate whether the trill is a major or minor trill.

Troppo Troppo means "too much." It is often used to modify other terms such as Adagio ma non troppo, meaning, slow but not too slow. Turn Turns are ornaments mainly used in 17th-19th century music, and generally indicate four notes should be played, encircling the notated note. The following symbol for a turn is placed above the note: . Twelve tone technique The twelve tone technique refers to a system where the composer arranges the twelve notes of the chromatic scale in a fixed order. This ordered sequence of the twelve notes is called a twelve-tone row or series that forms a unique melody. Composers using this method generally would not repeat any note in the tone row until the entire series of twelve notes had been heard. Variations to the tone row include mathematical approaches such as retrograde, inverted and transposed versions of the tone row. The twelve-tone technique was later called serialism, and continues to be used by some composers today. Up bow The sign for up-bow is and indicates an upward stroke of the bow from the point (or tip) to the frog (or nut).

Vibrato Vibrato for stringed instruments is similar to vocal vibrato—it is a slight and rapid fluctuation in pitch, and is used to add warmth and expression to music. There are three types of vibrato: finger, hand, arm or a combination of all three. Many violinists use a combination of finger and hand vibrato. This type of vibrato is produced by a back and forth rolling motion of the finger and hand on the string, resulting in the pitch being lowered and raised. Variations in the width and speed of the vibrato can produce a wide range of expression. Virtuoso Virtuoso means "exceptional performer" in Italian, and is used to describe a highly proficient, technically skilled performer. When the descriptive term virtuosic playing is used, it generally means the performer is playing difficult music in a highly skilled manner. Vivace Lively and brisk. As a tempo marking, vivace is often considered slightly faster than allegro. Waltz A dance in triple meter which was very popular during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Whole Bow Initials are sometimes used in music to indicate what part of the bow should be used: WB = Whole Bow; LH = Lower Half; UH = Upper Half; MB = Middle of the Bow.

Question: In music, what word means "to be performed without any break between - smooth and sustained"?
Answer: Legato