appoggiatura: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2)Specialist / Technical
Quick answer
What does “appoggiatura” mean?
A musical ornament consisting of a non-chord note that resolves by step into the main note.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A musical ornament consisting of a non-chord note that resolves by step into the main note.
In Baroque and Classical music, a type of grace note that takes a portion of the time value of the principal note it precedes, creating expressive dissonance before resolution. In a metaphorical or figurative sense, it can refer to any embellishing or preliminary element that leads to something more significant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in meaning or usage. Pronunciation may have minor stress and vowel quality differences as indicated in IPA.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both BrE and AmE, used almost exclusively by musicians, musicologists, and music critics.
Grammar
How to Use “appoggiatura” in a Sentence
The composer uses an appoggiatura [on/to the note G].The melody is decorated with an appoggiatura.An appoggiatura resolves [down/up] by step.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in musicology, historical performance practice, and analysis of Baroque/Classical compositions.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. A precise term in musical notation, theory, and performance instructions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “appoggiatura”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “appoggiatura”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “appoggiatura”
- Mispronouncing it (e.g., stressing the first syllable).
- Confusing it with 'acciaccatura' (a shorter, crushed grace note).
- Using it in non-musical contexts without clear metaphorical intent, which can sound pretentious.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While all appoggiaturas are grace notes, not all grace notes are appoggiaturas. An appoggiatura is a specific type that is accented and takes its time from the main note, unlike a quick, unaccented 'acciaccatura'.
Only in highly figurative or literary contexts, and even then it is very rare. It would imply a preliminary, often slightly dissonant or tense element that leads to a more important, resolved state.
It comes from Italian 'appoggiare', meaning 'to lean'. The term entered musical English from Italian in the 18th century.
The stress is on the fourth syllable. In British English: /əˌpɒdʒ.əˈtʊə.rə/. In American English: /əˌpɑː.dʒəˈtʊr.ə/. The 'gg' is pronounced like the 'j' in 'judge'.
A musical ornament consisting of a non-chord note that resolves by step into the main note.
Appoggiatura is usually specialist / technical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of APPO for 'appointment' - you have an appointment with the main note, but the appoggiatura LEANS on it (from Italian 'appoggiare', to lean) first, creating a brief moment of tension.
Conceptual Metaphor
TENSION-RELEASE (The dissonant appoggiatura creates a problem/tension that is resolved by the consonant main note.) / EMBELLISHMENT (A decorative, non-essential addition that enhances the core element.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of an appoggiatura?