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Articulation and phrasing

Slur and legato

Connect the notes under the curve into one smooth gesture.

See it in the score

Opening slur in Bach's Minuet

The curve carries the opening G into the next measure as one phrase.

Open measure 1 in the piece
Opening slur in Bach's Minuet From Minuet in G Major by J.S. Bach (attrib.; BWV Anh. 114, likely Christian Petzold), source measure 1.

Passage playback follows the literal encoded notes, rhythm, tempo, and written directions in this excerpt. It is a study aid, not a model of a pianist's touch, phrasing, ornament realization, or pedal technique.

In a sentence

Connect the notes under the curve into one smooth gesture.

A slur groups notes into a legato phrase. On piano, legato is created by overlapping the release of one key with the attack of the next just enough to hide a gap.

The curve also shows grammar: its start, direction, and ending help the player shape a musical sentence rather than merely connect every note equally.