Ornamentation in music adds expression, excitement, and style to a piece. Whether you’re playing classical piano, jazz, or folk accordion, knowing how to interpret ornaments like arpeggiated notes, grace notes, mordents, and trills is essential. Let’s break down the differences between these commonly used embellishments.
1. Arpeggiated Notes (Arpeggios)
What it is:
An arpeggio is when the notes of a chord are played one at a time, instead of all at once. In written music, arpeggiated chords are often marked with a vertical wavy line in front of the chord.
How it sounds:
Smooth, rolled, and harp-like. Each note is played quickly after the previous one, from bottom to top (usually), but not rhythmically separated like a broken chord.
When you see it:
Often used in romantic and contemporary music to create a dreamy or fluid texture.
2. Grace Notes
What it is:
A grace note is a quick, ornamental note that “graces” the main note, usually written smaller than regular notes. It’s played just before the beat and takes almost no time of its own.
How it sounds:
Light and fleeting—like a quick flick into the main note. In jazz and folk, grace notes can add a playful or expressive flair.
When you see it:
Grace notes show up in nearly every genre and can vary in style depending on historical period or regional flavor.
3. Mordent
What it is:
A mordent is a rapid alternation between a note and the note directly above (upper mordent) or below (lower mordent), then back to the original note.
How it sounds:
Very quick—like a brief musical “wiggle” or bump around the main note. It’s sharper and more defined than a grace note.
When you see it:
Mordents are common in Baroque and Classical music and are usually notated with a short zigzag line.
4. Trill
What it is:
A trill is a rapid, continuous alternation between two adjacent notes—typically the written note and the one above it.
How it sounds:
Buzzing or fluttering. The trill can last for several beats depending on the length of the note it’s attached to.
When you see it:
Trills are frequent in Classical and Romantic music, adding elegance and tension. Notated as “tr” above the note (often with a wavy line).
Final Thoughts
All of these ornaments—arpeggios, grace notes, mordents, and trills—serve one main purpose: to bring music to life. Learning how to recognize and play them with confidence can add sophistication to your performance and deepen your musical expression.
Still unsure how to play them? Try isolating the ornament slowly, then blend it into the phrase. Or ask your teacher to demonstrate during your next lesson—hearing and seeing it in action can make all the difference!
