Lusingando

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff or under a keyboard part as a character word, usually at the start of a phrase or alongside a tempo heading, and lasting until the next character word. Like other present participles (scherzando, cantando) it describes something the player keeps doing, not a tempo or a dynamic.

How Composers Use It

Lusingando asks the player to coax and flatter: a caressing touch, gently shaped phrases, perhaps a little give in the time, warmth without weight. It is close to accarezzevole (caressing) and a shade more persuasive than dolce. Use it where a line should charm or entice the listener, as in Romantic piano writing and song accompaniments; on forceful or strongly rhythmic material it contradicts the notes.

Example

Elgar, “A Song of Autumn”, piano, m. 1: “lusingando” under the heading “Poco Allegretto”, with mf at the opening; “dim.” and “poco rit.” follow in m. 3.

Related Terms