Slur vs. legato

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:28 pm

Can you explain the difference between a phrase that is slurred and a phrase that is played legato?

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:35 pm

"legato" means as long as possible, but it does not mean NO articulation, as does a slur.

In some circustances a "du" tongue is appropriate, rather than a sharp "ta" articulation.

The exact performance of a legato is circumstancial; it approaches, but does not reach a slur. Certainly it means to play the note for it's entire length.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:06 pm

windshieldbug wrote:"legato" means as long as possible, but it does not mean NO articulation, as does a slur.

In some circustances a "du" tongue is appropriate, rather than a sharp "ta" articulation.

The exact performance of a legato is circumstancial; it approaches, but does not reach a slur. Certainly it means to play the note for it's entire length.

Follow up: Why are legato phrases commonly written with a slur marking?

tbn.al · Post by **tbn.al** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:14 pm

bloke wrote:but a "legato tongue" will NEVER quite be a valve-instrument "slur"

After 45 years of trombone I decided to double on tuba. A most excellent adventure to say the least. I had a hard time teaching myself not to "loo" or "doodle" tongue on every slur on tuba. It was just too ingrained in my mind. See slur.... "loo" tongue. What I have finally come to appreciate is that they are two separate techniques that I can use appropriately on tuba. The trombone legato tongue when used lightly can really help to smooth out the rough slurs, where the instrument just wants to catch and not be smooth. It's also great to make a troublesome slur speak. I also use it a lot in jazz slurs to give me a more delinienated slur, much like a breath attack on sax. But 99% of the time it's just keep the air stream moving like crazy and push the buttons. Kind of a novel idea for a trombonist.