What is the difference between legato and portamento?
On Wikipedia Legato means: [...] the player makes a transition from note to note with no intervening silence. [...]
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legato
On Wikipedia Portamento means: [...] is a pitch sliding from one note to another. [...]
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portamento
It seem to me, that both, Legato and Portamento slide from one note to another. So what is the difference?
(1)1 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
Legato is smooth transition from one note to another. Exactly that. One specific note to another specific note. Rather like how we string words together to speak sentences, or rather, phrases. If it's on, say, a trumpet, the notes will be played all in one breath, not separately tongued, usually.
Portamento is similar, but will move from one note to the next, playing other pitches in between the two notes in the process. A trombone or violin will be able to do this easily. A piano just won't. Usually portamento is quite quick, but if it was slowed right down, you would be able to hear notes 'in the cracks'.
So, portamento is a sort of legato, whereas legato is not any kind of portamento.
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2026 All Rights reserved.