portato
Between legato and staccato; notes slightly separated but not as short as staccato.
In Depth
Portato (also called mezzo-staccato or louré) sits between legato and staccato. Notes are gently separated but not as short or detached as true staccato. The effect is often described as pulsing legato — each note has a slight articulation at its beginning, but the sound remains connected and sustained.
In notation, portato is indicated by staccato dots under a slur line. For string players, this means using a single bow stroke but applying gentle pressure pulses to separate the notes slightly. The technique adds definition and gentle emphasis to a phrase without breaking its flow. It is common in lyrical passages where the composer wants warmth with clarity.
The portato stroke is so subtle that many listeners can't consciously distinguish it from legato — but they can feel the difference, which is why it's prized in expressive playing.