Portato

Violin

Portato is a musical term that denotes a smooth, pulsing articulation and is often notated by adding dots under slur markings. It is also known as articulated legato

Portato is a bowing technique for stringed instruments, in which successive notes are gently re-articulated while being joined under a single continuing bow stroke. It achieves a kind of pulsation or undulation, rather than separating the notes

Portato is sometimes indicated in words, by “mezzo-staccato” or “non-legato”; or can be shown by three graphic forms: a slur that encompasses a phrase of staccato notes (the most common), or a tenuto above a staccato mark (very often), or a slur that encompasses a phrase of tenuto notes (less common)