Portamento
A smooth, vocal-style slide between two notes.
Category
articulation
Pronunciation
por-tah-MEHN-toh
Origin
Italian
Length
95 words · 1 min read
About Portamento
Portamento is a more refined, expressive slide than glissando, typically associated with the voice and bowed strings. Rather than hitting every intermediate pitch, it suggests a graceful, continuous connection between two notes.
More articulation terms
Tenuto
View all articulationterms →Held for its full value; sustained with emphasis.
Sul ponticelloOn the bridge; bowing near the bridge for a glassy tone.
SordamenteA direction to play in a muted, dampened manner, suppressing the natural resonance of the instrument.
LegatoSmooth, connected
StaccatoShort, detached notes
Compare with similar terms
v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →