IT legatissimo articulation common Support my free tools
- Abbreviation
- legatiss.
How is legatissimo played?
Connect the line as fully and smoothly as the instrument and phrase allow, intensifying ordinary legato toward its most continuous end. The Italian suffix -issimo marks the superlative. Keyboard overlap can be one possible realisation, but legatissimo does not universally require overlapping keys, one bow, one breath or continuous pedal; technique follows instrument, tempo, acoustics and notation. It points away from non legato and staccato, while slurs and phrase marks still determine span and physical means.
How does legatissimo sound?
An exceptionally smooth, almost overlapping line with no perceptible articulation between notes.
In context
Legatissimo is the superlative of legato, meaning very or most connected. Musicca, Music Specialty and a University of North Texas dissertation independently pair legatiss. with the complete term. The form is a textual abbreviation; a slur remains related graphical notation rather than the abbreviation itself.