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Glissando (plural: glissandi) is a musical term that refers to either a continuous sliding from one pitch to another (a "true" glissando), or an incidental scale played while moving from one melodic note to another (an "effective" glissando). Musical instruments with continuously variable pitch can effect a true glissando over a substantial range.
These include unfretted stringed instruments (such as the violin and some bass guitars), stringed instruments with a way of stretching the strings (such as a guitar with a whammy bar), wind instruments without valves or stops (such as the trombone or slide whistle), synthesizers, the human voice, and the water organ .
True glissandi can be produced to at least a limited extent on most instruments; for example, fretted stringed instruments (such as the guitar or mandolin) can effect a glissando of up to a minor third (three semitones) by pushing the string across the fingerboard.
Brass and wind instruments such as the flute or trumpet can effect a similarly limited glissando by altering the breath pressure.
Tunable percussion instruments such as the drum or congaConga is a drum, a type of music, and a type of dance. Conga drum A conga is a tall narrow single-headed Cuban drum (of African origin, derived from the Congolese Makuta drums). It was initially made from hollowed logs with cowhides nailed or strung on, a can effect small glissandi by applying or releasing pressure on the head while striking.
On some instruments, a bending of the tone or continuous sliding is not possible (e.g., pianoPiano is a common abbreviation for pianoforte a large musical instrument with a keyboard (see keyboard instrument). Its sound is produced by strings stretched on a rigid frame. These vibrate when struck by felt-covered hammers, which are activated by the, harpThe harp is one of the oldest musical instruments, found in various forms all over the world. It is a chordophone ( string instrument). Origins of the Harp The harp may have been invented when people found that the sound of a plucked hunter's bow string s) As a substitute, the player can play a number of adjacent notes in rapid succession, so that the audible result somewhat resembles a true glissando. For example, on a piano, the player can slide his thumbnail across the white or black keys, producing either a C major scale or a C# major pentatonic (or their relative natural minor scales). On a harp, the player can slide his finger up or down the strings, quickly playing the separate notes. Wind, brass and fretted stringed instrument players can effect an extremely rapid chromatic scale, giving the same effect. These latter techniques are commonly referred to as glissandi in scores and sheet music, although technically they are only "effective" glissandi.
See also: musical terminologyBelow is a list of terms used in musical terminology which are likely to occur on printed or sheet music. Many of these terms have a Italian etymology, reinforcing the heritage of much music originating from Italy. In different countries, the terms you se
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