What does a glissando indicate in music?

A glissando in music signifies a continuous slide between pitches. This technique involves smoothly transitioning from one note to another, allowing the performer to pass through all the pitches in between rather than jumping directly to the target note. Glissandos are often used to create a fluid, expressive sound, enhancing the emotional quality of the music being performed.

In contrast, a slight pause in playing does not capture the essence of a glissando, as it implies a break rather than a seamless connection. A smooth connection between notes may refer to legato playing, which differs from the glissando technique as it doesn’t necessarily involve sliding between pitches. Lastly, a repeat of music refers to a specific musical instruction that indicates a section should be played again, which does not relate to the concept of sliding between notes. Thus, the definition of a glissando as a continuous slide between pitches accurately describes this expressive technique used by musicians.