acciaccatura
C2Formal / Technical
Definition
Meaning
In music, a very short grace note played quickly before a principal note, often 'crushed' against it.
Figuratively, a brief, ornamental addition or interruption that is not essential but adds a flourish.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a technical term in Western classical music notation and performance practice. The grace note is played as rapidly as possible, with its duration subtracted from the principal note. Unlike an appoggiatura, it has no rhythmic value of its own and is typically indicated by a small note with a stroke through the stem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used identically in musical contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes formal music education and classical performance; rarely used outside this domain.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, used exclusively within specialised music discourse. No difference in usage frequency between UK and US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [instrumentalist] [verb, e.g., performed, added] an acciaccatura before the [principal note].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None standard for this term”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used exclusively in musicology, theory, and performance studies texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in sheet music notation, musical analysis, and performance instructions.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- N/A - This word is far above A2 level.
- N/A - This word is far above B1 level.
- In this piece, the pianist must execute a rapid acciaccatura on the second beat.
- The composer's intricate notation included an acciaccatura on the dominant chord, creating a moment of harmonic tension before the resolution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'acciaccatura' as an ACCIdentally ACCelerated note that you crush into the main note.
Conceptual Metaphor
MUSICAL EMBELLISHMENT IS A PHYSICAL CRUSHING (e.g., a 'crushed note').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'форшлаг' (foršlag, grace note), as 'acciaccatura' is a specific type of grace note. 'Аккачатура' is a direct transliteration but highly specialised.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as /ˌækiˈækətʊrə/.
- Using it to refer to any decorative note.
- Omitting the 'stroke through the stem' when describing its notation.
Practice
Quiz
What is an acciaccatura?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An appoggiatura takes a portion of the principal note's rhythmic value, while an acciaccatura is played as quickly as possible, 'crushed' against the principal note.
Extremely rarely. It might be used in literary or artistic criticism as a metaphor for a brief, non-essential flourish, but this is highly unusual.
It is written as a small note (often an eighth or sixteenth note) with a diagonal stroke through its stem and flag, placed immediately before the principal note.
It comes from Italian, from the verb 'acciaccare' meaning 'to crush'.