Legato

Legato is Italian for ‘bound’ or ‘tied’. As a performance direction it instructs the performer to play notes smoothly connected, with no audible separation. The effect is a continuous, singing line where each note flows into the next.

Legato is indicated by a curved line — the slur — drawn above or below a group of notes. All notes within the slur should be connected as a single phrase. On bowed strings, this means playing the slurred notes in a single bow stroke. On winds, in a single breath without re-articulation. On piano, with overlapping finger transitions and judicious pedal use.

Legato is the foundation of cantabile (singing) playing. Most lyrical melodies are written with legato slurs, asking the performer to connect the line as a singer would breathe through it. The technical challenge varies by instrument — on piano, achieving true legato requires careful finger substitution; on bowed strings, smooth bow changes; on winds, controlled breath connection.

Italian, past participle of legare (‘to bind, tie’), from Latin ligare (‘to bind’).

Listen for the seam between notes. In legato, the seam should disappear — one note becoming the next without an audible gap. Practice slowly to ensure each transition is seamless.