On Legato Playing -  Make The Piano Sing
A free tonebase pdf

On Legato Playing - Make The Piano Sing

As pianists, we have to work especially hard to play in a legato style. When we depress a key at the piano, the resulting sound immediately fades. Even when we depress the sustain pedal, the sound will eventually die. As a result, we have to find creative ways of achieving a legato sound. This PDF explores how Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt approached legato playing as performers and pedagogues.

  • Beethoven encouraged his students to make the piano 'sing.'
  • Liszt instructed students to use the 'palm' of their fingers.
  • Clementi used 'finger pedaling' to ensure connected musical phrases.
Muzio Clementi
The best rule is to adhere chiefly to the legato, reserving the staccato to give spirit occasionally to certain passages, and to set off the higher beauty of the legato.
Muzio Clementi
What you will learn

WHAT'S INSIDE?

In Italian, legato literally means 'tied' or 'bound.' In music, legato is a term that instructs us to play in a smooth, connected style with no audible breaks between notes. In this way, legato is a kind of articulation, often contrasted with staccato ('detached') articulation. While we have to master all kinds of articulations as pianists, we are already well on our way to success if we begin by practicing our legato!

  • Finger Placement
  • Matching Decay
  • 'Finger Pedaling'
  • Learn More In The PDF...


On Legato Playing -  Make The Piano Sing
Learn More On tonebase

Watch An Exclusive Preview From Juilliard Professor Jerome Lowenthal's Lesson

Legendary pianist and Juilliard professor Jerome Lowenthal draws from a lifetime interpreting Schubert to teach you the Impromptus, Opus 90. Start your free trial of tonebase Premium today to access this content and over 70 lessons & courses taught by the world's greatest pianists.
Ready to go premium?

LIMITED TIME: All plans now come with 14-day free trials

All plans include:
  • checkmark icon
    14-day free trial with unlimited access
  • checkmark icon
    90-day money back guarantee
  • checkmark icon
    Unlimited access to our full library
  • checkmark icon
    Structured & guided course content
  • checkmark icon
    Free workbooks, editions and more
  • checkmark icon
    Access to the tonebase Community

Monthly

$
49.95
/mo
Billed monthly
Try it out with the monthly plan. With this option, you can see if tonebase is for you and you can cancel anytime.
Start 14-Day Free Trial
Save $300 — PLUS FREE PIANO Toolkit!

Yearly

$
24.95
/mo
Billed at $299 yearly
Save big with our most popular plan. Plus, for a limited time, get the tonebase Piano Toolkit free with your 14-day trial!

Unlock 9 PDFs, and 6 exclusive lessons, and hours of learning to take your playing to the next level.
Start 14-Day Free Trial

Lifetime

$
695
/once
Billed just once
Want to invest in your future education? Gain permanent and unlimited access to tonebase Piano.
Start 14-Day Free Trial
Frequently Asked QueSTions
The lessons do not only teach you the ins-and-outs of the piece, but also teach the appreciation of music through detailed instructions and commentary. The thoughtful interface has further allowed tonebase's mission to be achieved.
— Thompson L.
tonebase reveals the tips and tricks of the experts. I learnt important aspects of technique and how to express myself better musically, to get to the core of the music and to realize the composers idea.
— Nana A.
This is one of the best ideas ever! Not everyone can get access to the best teachers even in the world, but to have lessons from professional pianists who have great expertise and know to express ideas in a clear way inspires me to keep working!
— Siyao Y.

THE FUTURE OF PIANO IS ONLINE, ONLY ON TONEBASE

Over 20,000 fellow pianists have already discovered. Take your playing to the next level with exclusive instruction from the world's best classical pianists — get started today!

dismiss icon