Appoggiatura

Definition

An appoggiatura is a non-chord tone that is approached by a leap and resolved by a step to a chord tone. It serves as an embellishment that creates tension, leading to a sense of resolution when it moves to the main note. This musical ornament can add expressiveness and complexity to a melody, often found in both classical and contemporary music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Appoggiaturas are typically approached by leap, making them stand out in melodic lines.
2. They are usually resolved downwards by step to the nearest chord tone, creating a sense of movement and resolution.
3. In terms of duration, appoggiaturas often receive more emphasis than the notes they resolve to, drawing attention to their expressive quality.
4. They can occur in various styles of music, but are particularly prominent in Baroque and Classical compositions.
5. The term 'appoggiatura' comes from the Italian word meaning 'to lean,' reflecting how this ornament leans into the following note.

Review Questions

• How does an appoggiatura differ from other non-chord tones like suspensions or passing tones?
  • An appoggiatura specifically involves approaching a note by leap and resolving it by step, creating tension before it resolves to a chord tone. In contrast, a suspension holds onto a note from the previous chord before moving downwards, while passing tones connect two chord tones in a stepwise manner. This difference in approach and resolution gives appoggiaturas their unique expressive quality in musical phrases.
• Discuss the emotional impact of using appoggiaturas in melodic composition.
  • Appoggiaturas enhance emotional expression by creating tension through their leap into dissonance, which is then resolved by stepping down to a consonant note. This tension and resolution can evoke feelings such as longing or surprise, making melodies more dynamic and compelling. Composers often use them strategically to highlight key moments in a piece, leading listeners through emotional highs and lows.
• Evaluate the role of appoggiaturas in the context of Western music history and their evolution over time.
  • Historically, appoggiaturas gained prominence during the Baroque and Classical periods as composers sought to enrich melodies with ornamental techniques. As music evolved into the Romantic era and beyond, the use of appoggiaturas became more nuanced, reflecting greater emotional depth and complexity in composition. Today, they continue to be used across various genres, showcasing their lasting significance as an expressive tool that bridges historical styles with modern musical language.

Related terms

Non-Chord Tone: A note that is not part of the underlying chord, used to create tension or embellish a melody.

Suspension: A type of non-chord tone where a note from a previous chord is held over into the new chord, creating dissonance that resolves when it moves down to a chord tone.

Mordent: A type of ornament in which a single note is rapidly alternated with the note immediately above or below it, adding a decorative flourish to the melody.