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A smooth, continuous slide from one pitch to another (in vocal or string playing). More controlled than a glissando.
Portamento is the voice or string sliding audibly between two notes — not a discrete jump but a continuous connection. In early 20th-century performance practice, it was standard; today it is used more sparingly. Write it when you want an explicitly connected, almost sighing quality between notes.
In early recordings of Brahms's Violin Concerto, soloists use extensive portamento, connecting notes with audible slides that add emotional warmth.
Portamento 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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