Cantabile

Cantabile (Italian for 'singable', from the Latin 'cantare', to sing) is a direction to play in a smooth, singing style, as if the piano were a human voice. It appears throughout the classical and romantic repertoire and is one of the most important expressive indications a pianist encounters. Achieving a true cantabile tone requires careful control of key speed and weight — press into the key rather than striking it, keep your wrist supple, and listen to each note connect seamlessly to the next. The great pianists distinguish themselves in cantabile passages: try recording yourself playing a simple melody and listen back critically for any gaps, bumps, or unevenness in the melodic line.