mordent

mordent

The pianist plays a mordent in the sonata.

Definition
  1. Noun (Music):
    • A musical ornament: A "mordent" is a rapid alternation of a principal note with the note immediately below it (lower mordent) or above it (upper mordent, also called an inverted mordent), typically performed as a quick trill-like flourish to embellish a melody.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The pianist added a mordent to the final note of the phrase, giving it a lively, decorative quality. (A quick ornament alternating the main note with the note below.)
    • In Baroque music, the mordent is often notated as a short squiggle above the staff. (The symbol indicating the ornament.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Lower mordent": The standard form where the principal note alternates with the note a step below it.

    • The lower mordent on the tonic note created a gentle, expressive nuance. (The ornament using the note below the main pitch.)

  • "Upper mordent" (or "inverted mordent"): A variant where the principal note alternates with the note a step above it.

    • The upper mordent gave the melody a brighter, more brilliant effect. (The ornament using the note above the main pitch.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Mordent-like (adj): resembling or characteristic of a mordent.

    • The singer’s rapid vocal run had a mordent-like quality, though it was not strictly notated. (Similar in effect to the ornament.)

  • Mordent symbol (n): the musical notation indicating a mordent (often a zigzag line or a short squiggle).

    • The mordent symbol above the note instructed the performer to add the ornament. (The graphic representation.)
Synonyms
  • Ornament: a decorative note or series of notes added to a melody.
  • Trill: a rapid alternation between two adjacent notes (similar but usually longer in duration).
  • Grace note: a quick, non-essential note played before the main note (related but not identical).
Related Idioms

  • "Play a mordent": to perform the ornament as written.

    • The teacher instructed the student to play a mordent on the third beat. (Execute the specific ornament.)

  • "Add a mordent": to insert the ornament into a musical passage.

    • The composer decided to add a mordent to the theme for extra flair. (Enhance the melody with the ornament.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • None directly associated with "mordent" as a noun; it is typically used as a standalone term in music theory.