portamento

Portamento in Music

In music, **portamento** refers to a technique where a performer slides smoothly from one pitch to another. The term originated from the Italian expression "portamento della voce," which means "carriage of the voice" and was initially used in vocal performances in the 17th century. Over time, it was also adopted by members of the violin family and certain wind instruments. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with **glide** or **glissando** and is applied to various instruments, including slide trombones, steel guitars, and synthesizers.

Portamento is often used to add a melancholic effect to the overall melody. It can create a sense of emotional expression and fluidity in the music. Although it was widely used in popular music, it was disapproved of for operatic singing by many critics.

Portamento is similar to a glissando, which is a deliberate slide from one note to another. However, a glissando is typically written in the music, while portamento is a technique employed by the performer. Both techniques involve sliding between pitches, but the distinction lies in how they are notated and executed.

It's worth noting that the terms **portamento**, **glide**, and **glissando** can have slightly different meanings depending on the instrument and musical context. For example, trombones, singers, and string players may have their own specific definitions of these terms.