Instruments & Performance

Portamento

Japanese name
ポルタメント

Portamento is an expression that carries the pitch smoothly from one note to the next.

How to use it

Use it briefly in vocal or synth melodies and compare how the pitch moves.

How it differs from related terms

Portamento carries between two notes, while a glissando is a larger slide that lets you hear the notes in between.

It works best used sparingly, on the lead phrase.

Sources & review

Last reviewed July 16, 2026

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