Legato

This article is about the legato in the field of music, for other uses please see Legato (disambiguation).

In musical notation legato indicates that musical notes are played smoothly. That is, in transitioning from note to note, there should be little to no silence between notes. Legato technique is required for slurred performance, but unlike slurring, legato does not forbid rearticulation. The legato is commonly shown in standard notation as either notes that are set off from the others by being written in a smaller manner than the others. Or, it would also be shown as an arch from one note to another, different note. One example of legato would be in the basic drumming rudiment the Flam.

In guitar playing legato usually refers to slurred notes, exclusively to hammer-ons and pull-offs. An electric guitarist using legato technique will generally use legato to play notes that are close and on the same string to the note that the guitarist starts the legato on. All other notes are played using the techniques mentioned. Many electric guitar virtuosos, usually shredders, are well-versed in this technique, as it allows for rapid and also "clean" runs.

In violin and string music, legato usually refers to notes played with a full bow that are played with minimal space between notes. This is often achieved through controlled wrist movements of the bowing hand and is often masked and enhanced with vibrato.

Audio examples

[Bassoon articulations] ([file info])
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Name Also Used for Vash's Arch enemy in the anime Trigun.

Legato

Audio examples

See also