I'm playing Irish songs. Third note from the end has sl. above it.
Sl. - slow ?
Something maybe in Italian.
What is it?
Probably slur.
Sl is for Silencio== Silent
Would help to see the context. Might indicate a slide between notes.
quote:
Originally posted by LoupSl is for Silencio== Silent
If it is Silencio,
why is it above a B natural Note ?
quote:
Originally posted by Brian WoodProbably slur.
I'm thinking
Slentándo - relaxing the time, gradually slowing
I’d lean toward it being a slur or possibly a slide, especially in Irish tunes where notation can be a bit loose.
Agree. If it’s a long** B note, a slide would be pretty common to use…
**Long being quarter note or dotted quarter…
A slur would normally be shown with an arched line connecting all the notes that go into one bow.
( That’s some pretty unusually detailed notation ya got there! Mostly Irish tunes seem to be in ABC format or if they are in “dots” (staff notation) It’s just the notes of the tune. If you’re lucky, you get a squiggle above the note where an ornament is often used…but the ornaments will move around or be present/absent depending on who’s playing it! How’s that for clear as mud! :-)
if it’s a common dance tune format (reel jig hornpipe polka etc) then it would be unusual to slow down at the end. Tempo is usually steady as a rock. If it’s a slow air or song, then maybe that “Sl” could mean 'slower'...
Edited by - NCnotes on 01/16/2026 15:54:51
On second thought…since you said it’s a song (not a reel or jig?) then I agree with “Slentando”.
Although I’m more used to “rit” (ritardando) on music. I wonder what the difference is.
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