Glissando

General

– the Musical Effect of Sliding from Pitch to Pitch (similar to Portamento Glides)

– but Glissando stays for the “Pure Musical Effect” of the Glide itself when Sliding from Pitch to Pitch

– mostly in Higher Keyboard Register 

– can be Used as a Psycho-Acoustical “String Effect”, when the Pitch Slides between Notes with No Maximum or Minimum Pitch Target (Pendereckis “The Shining”)

Examples

Finger or Chromatic Glissando

– is in Essence a Simple Run of Notes, as if you “Strum” the Glissando (Like a Harp Glissando)

“True” Glissando

– a “True” Glissando Covers Only One String, meaning that Every Grade of Pitch will be Heard between its Starting and Ending Point (for Soloists)

Faked Glissando

– often though, a Player Plays a Glissando that Crosses the Strings which is a “Faked” Glissando and Works if a Group of Players Continue Independently (Less successful as Solo Passage)

– Different Players will take Different Approaches Creating the Illusion that the Whole Section is Sliding Down without Interruption

Glissando on Piano

– Use these 2 Fingernails Upwards (90% Usage)

– Or Middle 3 Fingernails Upwards

– Use the Thumb Fingernail Downwards (More Definition, 90% Usage)

– Or Middle 3 Fingernails Downwards

– You can also Do this Mirrored

– You can also use Inside Hand for Black Keys and Outside Hand for White Keys

– You can also Do a Double Glissando, i.e. Strike with Both Hands Twice the Black Keys (or White Keys)

Glissando in Cubase

– Use Arpache SX Midi Effect