What does glissando mean?
A glissando is a smooth, continuous slide between two musical pitches, usually passing through all the intervening notes. It is commonly heard on the piano, violin, guitar, harp, and other instruments, and vocal glissandi occur in some styles of singing. A glissando is not merely a rapid scale: its defining feature is the continuous sliding movement from one note to another. The effect can sound sweeping, dramatic, fluid, or deliberately showy, depending on the instrument, tempo, and context. The word is also used figuratively for any similarly smooth transition, such as a camera or vehicle moving rapidly between positions. In musical scores, “glissando” instructs performers to produce such a glide. It is a concise and expressive term that identifies both the direction and character of the movement without requiring a lengthy explanation.
nounA continuous slide from one musical pitch to another, usually upward or downward, on an instrument or in the voice. In musical notation, it directs the performer to glide smoothly through the intervening pitches.
- A smooth, continuous movement between two musical pitches, typically passing through every intervening note.
"The pianist closed the piece with a long, shimmering glissando."
"A rising glissando on the strings led into the final chorus."
"The guitarist used a glissando to make the transition between the two sections sound seamless."
The standard plural is “glissandi.” The plural “glissandos” is also commonly accepted.
"The rapid glissandi gave the solo a bright, playful character."
Its name tells you exactly what to do: glissando is Italian for “sliding.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does glissando come from?
The word entered English in the 19th century from Italian, where glissando is the present participle of glissare, meaning “to slide.” Italian glissare ultimately derives from Latin glissus, an adjective meaning “slippery” or “smooth.” Related forms include Italian glissare and French glissant, while English “gliss” is a shortened form used in some musical contexts.
Related word forms
How glissando is actually used
This is primarily a musical term and is commonly used for rapid instrumental slides as well as slower vocal transitions. In written music, it is often italicized. The plural is usually “glissandi,” although “glissandos” is also accepted.