glissando

glissando Definition

glis·sando (gli sän′dō; also, -san′-)

noun pl. -·di-dē- or -·dos

a sliding effect achieved by sounding a series of adjacent tones in rapid succession, as by running a finger over the white keys of a piano
a passage having this effect

Etymology: formed as if It prp. equiv. to Fr glissant, prp. of glisser, to slide: see glissade

adjective, adverb

(performed) with such an effect

glissando Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

upward: The cat motif is a curious twist of notes with a small upward glissando to represent its tail.
final: At the end, the oboe motive returns, to be dismissed by a final harp glissando.

Converse of object

play: It is played glissando, mainly on the upper string but with some heterophony from the thumb on the lower string.

Converse of subject

accompany: Generally the Dragon is sung by the Tenors and Altos accompanied by wordless glissandi in the Basses adn Sopranos.

Modifies a noun

guitar: At the Ally Pally gig in 1966 he unwittingly taught me the invaluable skill of glissando guitar & then the myth took over.

Noun used with modifier

harp: At the end, the oboe motive returns, to be dismissed by a final harp glissando.

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