Figurato

/ˌfɪɡjəˈrɑːtoʊ/ adverb

Definition

In music, an instruction meaning to play with figured embellishment or ornamentation.

Etymology

Italian musical term from Latin 'figuratus' (figured, shaped). Italian composers used this term in musical notation to indicate how a passage should be performed with decorative elaboration.

Kelly Says

In Baroque music scores, when you see 'figurato,' the composer is telling the performer to go ahead and add ornaments and flourishes—it's basically permission to show off your technical skill within the musical framework.

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