Portato
Portato ( Italian : carried, not to be confused with portamento ) in music, in contrast to legato and staccato, denotes a type of articulation formerly known as "carrying the notes" , whereby the individual notes are performed with slight emphasis (on string instruments without removing the bow) . The successive notes are clearly separated from each other, but unlike in staccato, only minimally interrupted.
The instruction portato is particularly used in passages with slower tempos and is often used to increase expression. For faster passages (e.g. runs), the related term non legato is used , which strives for a clear, "sparkling" character. Portato can also be referred to as mezzo staccato or, in the case of string instruments, also as Louré .
notation
Portato is graphically represented either as a mixture of legato and staccato or of legato and tenuto : the notes are each marked with a dot or a line and at the same time connected with a slur .
Whether dots, (tenuto) strokes or a combination of both types of articulation are written under a bow should in most cases make no difference in the practical execution of the tone sequence. With string instruments, however, the notation of slurs and staccato dots dominates. An example of this is the third movement from the String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven. In the theme, the portato is also marked with slurs and dots. Sometimes, however, the dot notation can (especially with faster tone sequences) indicate a “flying” staccato or spiccato to be performed on a bow stroke .
Playing technique
Wind instruments
The portato on wind instruments is achieved by not completely interrupting the flow of air between the tones, accentuating the individual tones with a soft tongue thrust or sustaining them. The portato is a combination of legato and staccato or legato and tenuto . This way of playing requires a controlled playing technique from the wind player and good breath control through the use of the breathing support .
Keyboard instruments
The portato as a type of attack on the piano is realized by keeping all fingers in the air for a short moment between the individual strokes, as in staccato, but pressing the key longer and harder than in staccato.
String instruments
The portato on string instruments is achieved by keeping the bow on the string while playing the portato and playing the notes staccato-like in one direction of the bowing . As mentioned above, strings are often referred to as "Louré" .
literature
- Willibald Gurlitt, Hans Heinrich Eggebrecht (Hrsg.): Riemann Musiklexikon . Material part . 12th edition. B. Schott's Sons, Mainz 1967, p. 742 .