grace note

articulationgrays nohtfrom English

A small ornamental note played quickly before or after a main note.

In Depth

Grace notes are printed in small type and take their time value either from the preceding note or from the main note they decorate. They add decoration, emphasis, or expressive nuance to a melodic line. The two main types are the acciaccatura (a quick crushed note) and the appoggiatura (a leaned note that takes time from the main note). Grace notes appear in virtually every style of Western music. In Baroque music, they were an expected part of performance even when not written out. In Irish and Scottish fiddle music, grace notes (called cuts and taps) are essential to the style. In jazz, grace notes add the scoops and slides that give the music its characteristic vocal quality.
Did you know?

Chopin's grace notes are so numerous and intricate that some pianists spend more time practising the ornaments than the main melody line.

Related Terms

acciaccaturaappoggiaturaornamenttrill

More in Articulation

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tenuto

A note held for its full value, sometimes slightly longer. Marked with a dash.

appoggiatura

A grace note that takes time from the following main note, creating a brief dissonance.

pizzicato

A technique where strings are plucked with the fingers instead of bowed.

marcato

A strong accent; notes played with emphasis. Marked with a wedge symbol.

spiccato

A bowing technique where the bow bounces lightly off the string.

legato

Notes played smoothly and connected, with no gaps between them.

staccato

Notes played short and detached from each other. Marked with a dot above or below the note.

detaché

Separate bow strokes for each note, but without the shortness of staccato.

Keep Exploring

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