A continuous slide in pitch from one note to another.
A glissando is a glide or slide in pitch from one note to another, sweeping through the pitches in between rather than jumping cleanly. It is most striking on instruments that allow continuous pitch change, like a slide whistle, a trombone, or a finger sliding along a guitar string or up the keys of a harp or piano. A glissando can be a flashy, dramatic flourish or a subtle, expressive connection between two notes, and it appears across classical, jazz, pop and electronic music. The effect adds a sense of movement and fluidity, and it is closely related to techniques like the pitch bend found on synthesizers and electric guitars.
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