Slur

The slur is a fundamental notation symbol — a curved line drawn above or below a group of notes, indicating that they should be played as a single connected phrase. On bowed string instruments, the slur tells the player to use a single bow stroke for all notes; on winds, a single breath; on piano, a connected legato.

The slur is one of the most important phrasing tools available to composers. By grouping notes under a slur, the composer signals which notes belong together as a single musical idea. Phrasing is essentially the art of slurring — deciding which notes to bind together and which to separate.

The slur should not be confused with the tie, which connects two notes of the same pitch (extending the duration). Both look similar — curved lines — but their function is different. The tie says ‘these are one note’; the slur says ‘these are several notes, but bound together as a phrase’.

English, of uncertain origin; possibly from a dialectal verb meaning ‘to slide’.

Treat the slur as a phrase boundary. The notes within belong together; the start and end are points of breathing or articulation. Plan how to shape the slur — usually with a slight crescendo into the apex, then diminuendo away.