Music A-Level
Portamento
What Portamento means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Portamento
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Reference: AQA
An expressive performance technique involving a smooth, continuous glide from one pitch to another, passing through all the intermediate microtonal frequencies.
Another name for a slide, implying a continuous, unbroken glide in pitch rather than sounding the intervening notes.
A glissando performed by vocalists to convey heightened emotion or theatricality is often called this.
Topics that use Portamento
- Area of study 1: Western classical tradition 1650–1910 (compulsory) - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 2: Pop music - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 4: Music for theatre - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
Using Portamento in the exam
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