portamento
9.3
A setting on electronic instruments that makes the pitch slide smoothly between notes
- noun
- /pɔːrˈtɑːmentoʊ/
- Specialized
:
portamento
- She loves how the portamento setting allows her to transition smoothly between different pitches on the keyboard.
Examples
-
The EWV2000 has separate control knobs that adjust the wind controller's vibrato, pitch bend, portamento, breath sensitivity, volume, and tuning.
Academic text (1990) -
When playing the violin, using portamento helps to express emotions by gliding between notes.
-
The musician used the portamento feature on his synthesizer to create a sliding effect between the notes.
Antonyms
fixed intonation
- Specialized
7.8
A system where each key or note always plays the same sound when you play it
How Continuous
portamento
- Specialized
glissando
1
9.8
- Specialized
1
9.8
Surface Forms
portamento singular
portamenti plural
Etymology
The word portamento comes from Italian portare, which means 'to carry' and is the same root you see in transport and portable. On electronic instruments, portamento is the control that 'carries' one note into the next so the melody slides smoothly between keys.