turn explained
An ornament consisting of four notes: the note above, the main note, the note below, and the main note again
In Depth
Chopin's nocturnes contain some of the most elaborate turns in the piano literature, stretching the four-note formula into flowing melodic garlands.
Related Terms
More in Articulation
Browse allA stress or emphasis placed on a particular note.
A very short grace note played as quickly as possible before the main note.
A very short ornamental note played as quickly as possible before the main note, taking no perceptible time
A grace note that takes time from the following main note, creating a brief dissonance.
An ornamental note that falls on the beat, creating a dissonance that resolves by step to the main note
An instruction to return to bowing after a pizzicato passage.
Symbols placed above or below notes to indicate how they should be attacked, sustained, and released
Separate bow strokes for each note, but without the shortness of staccato.