Leggiero
Definition. Lightly — playing with light touch, light tone, and airy character.
Detailed Explanation
Leggiero, abbreviated legg., is Italian for ‘lightly’. As a performance direction it instructs the performer to play with a light touch — soft attack, light tone, airy character, often staccato or non-legato. The marking is essentially the opposite of pesante (heavily).
The character is airy, sparkling, almost weightless. On piano, leggiero implies a light finger touch, often with delicate wrist work. On strings, light bow contact, fast bow speed, perhaps spiccato. On winds, thin tone, light articulation.
Leggiero is common in fast passages, scherzos, and any music where a feeling of lightness is desired. The marking can apply to passages of any volume — a leggiero forte is possible (loud but light) — though it most often combines with softer dynamics. Chopin, Mendelssohn, and Liszt use it extensively in their virtuoso showpieces.
Etymology
Italian, ‘light’, from Late Latin leviarius, from levis (‘light’).
In Practice
Lift the music. Attacks should feel airy; tone should sparkle; the whole texture should seem to float. Avoid weight, ground, or any sense of heaviness.
Notable Examples
- Mendelssohn — Midsummer Night's Dream Scherzo (iconic leggiero writing)
- Chopin — Various Études (frequent leggiero passages)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Leggiero mean in music?
Lightly — playing with light touch, light tone, and airy character.
Where does the word Leggiero come from?
Italian, ‘light’, from Late Latin leviarius, from levis (‘light’).
How is Leggiero performed in practice?
Lift the music. Attacks should feel airy; tone should sparkle; the whole texture should seem to float. Avoid weight, ground, or any sense of heaviness.
What are common abbreviations for Leggiero?
Leggiero is commonly abbreviated as legg..
What musical terms are related to Leggiero?
Related terms include: Staccato, Spiccato, Delicato, Grazioso.
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