leggiero

Leggiero (sometimes spelled leggero) means light and delicate. It calls for a nimble, airy touch — notes should sound effortless and weightless, as if barely touching the instrument. The marking affects both technique and character. On the piano, leggiero passages typically involve fast, light fingerwork with minimal arm weight. For string players, it suggests a lighter bow pressure and faster bow speed. The marking appears frequently in Mozart, Mendelssohn, and other composers who valued clarity and elegance. It is the opposite of pesante (heavy).