Glissandi

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A series of smooth, sliding pitches between notes often used in musical compositions
2. a technique that creates a seamless transition from one tone to another in various instrumental contexts
3. an expressive musical flourish that achieves a fluid connection among differing tonalities through rapid slide movement

Etymology: "Glissandi" is the plural of "glissando," an Italian musical term borrowed into English. The Italian word comes from the French "glisser," meaning "to slide," which is also the source of English "glide" and "glissade." In Italian, "glissando" describes the act of sliding smoothly from one pitch to another rather than stepping through the notes between them. Because the sliding motion is continuous, a performer on a piano, harp, or trombone can pass through every intermediate pitch, which is why the effect sounds so fluid. The plural "glissandi" keeps the Italian ending, a common pattern for borrowed Italian musical vocabulary in English.