Laissez vibrer

As Printed on a Score

Printed after the note or chord that should ring — laissez vibrer, laisser vibrer or l.v. — often with a short tie ending in the air, over harp, percussion, piano or guitar. It applies to the notes marked; the sound is stopped by étouffez or the next damping instruction.

Abbreviations: l.v.

Also spelled: laisser vibrer

How Composers Use It

Laissez vibrer lets a note decay naturally beyond its written value, so you can notate a short attack while letting the resonance overlap what follows. It is most common for cymbals, gongs, harp and piano. If the overlap creates a clash you do not want, mark where to damp; if everything should ring, say so once at the start rather than on every note.

Example

Boulanger, Clairières dans le ciel, “Par ce que j’ai souffert”, piano, m. 32: “en dehors, laissez vibrer”, two bars after the return to Tempo I at pp.

Related Terms