Music Term
What is a glissando?
Definition
A glissando is a slide between two notes, passing through all intermediate pitches -- either continuously (as on a fretless instrument or trombone) or by sliding rapidly through discrete pitches (as on a piano).
Glissando in music -- explained
From the French glisser (to slide), a glissando differs from portamento (a similar sliding technique) primarily in degree: portamento is a subtle, expressive slide used in vocal and string music; glissando is more extreme and conspicuous. On a piano, a glissando is produced by dragging a finger (or fingernail) rapidly across the white or black keys -- creating a distinctive cascading figure. On a fretless bass or cello, the finger slides along the string while bowing or plucking, creating a continuous pitch sweep with no discrete steps. On a trombone, the slide mechanism allows true continuous glissando -- a defining effect in jazz and orchestral writing. In electronic music, pitch bend wheels and automation create glissandos through synthesis. Guitar string bends and whammy bar dives are informal glissandos. George Gershwin's clarinet glissando opening Rhapsody in Blue is one of the most famous in the orchestral repertoire.
Notable examples of a glissando
Rhapsody in Blue -- George Gershwin
Opens with a solo clarinet playing a rising glissando that became one of the most iconic phrases in American music.
Whole Lotta Love -- Led Zeppelin
The theremin-like guitar effect in the psychedelic midsection uses extreme pitch bends that function as glissandos.
Portishead - all recordings featuring Beth Gibbons -- Portishead
Beth Gibbons's vocal slides between notes create expressive portamento glissandos that define the trip-hop vocal aesthetic.
Related music terms
Frequently asked questions
- What is a glissando in music?
- A glissando is a slide between two notes, passing through all intermediate pitches -- either continuously (as on a fretless instrument or trombone) or by sliding rapidly through discrete pitches (as on a piano).
- What is an example of a glissando?
- A well-known example is Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin: Opens with a solo clarinet playing a rising glissando that became one of the most iconic phrases in American music.
- How is a glissando used in music?
- From the French glisser (to slide), a glissando differs from portamento (a similar sliding technique) primarily in degree: portamento is a subtle, expressive slide used in vocal and string music; glissando is more extreme and conspicuous. On a piano, a glissando is produced by dragging a finger (or fingernail) rapidly across the white or black keys -- creating a distinctive cascading figure.
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