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A slide from one pitch to another, passing through all intermediate pitches. On piano, sliding across the keys; on strings, sliding the finger along the string.
Glissando creates dramatic sweeping effects. On harp, it is idiomatic and produces cascading washes of sound. On piano, it adds brilliance. On trombone, it is comical or dramatic depending on context. Specify start and end pitches clearly.
Ravel's "Alborada del gracioso" — harp glissandi create sparkling cascades throughout the orchestral version.
Glissando is one of 228 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary, where every definition is written around how composers actually use the word.
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