- Definition
When playing music, "legato" means to play the notes smoothly connected, without any breaks or gaps in between them.
Singing 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' with each word flowing smoothly into the next is a legato performance.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Legato is like drawing one long, smooth line without lifting your pencil, connecting all the parts together.
Ask your child: How can you sing this line so the notes connect like they're holding hands?
Common mix-up: Kids may think playing the notes correctly is all that matters. Legato is about the smooth connection between the notes, not just the notes themselves.
Examples
- Playing a scale on a piano while keeping the notes connected and not choppy.
- A violinist using one long bow stroke to play several notes in a row.
legato is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
