Appoggiatura

An embellishing note preceding an essential melodic note

Appoggiatura is a type of ornamentation in music, generally consisting of one or two notes (grace notes), and only appearing in the main melody. In sheet music, the grace note(s) is denoted by a smaller size of eighth note(s), and connected to the main note with a slur.

Appoggiatura is similar to acciaccatura, but appoggiatura emphasizes the grace note, while acciaccatura emphasizes the main note.

Example of Appoggiatura

What is the appoggiatura? | ABRSM Theory Grade 4 | Video Lesson

Writer: Frankie Chan