Appoggiaturas, also known as grace notes, are small ornamental notes that are played quickly before a main note. They add tension and embellishment to the melody.
Related terms
Acciaccatura: A type of appoggiatura that is played extremely quickly and resolves immediately onto the main note.
Mordent: An ornament consisting of a rapid alternation between the main note and the note above or below it.
Trill: A rapid alternation between two adjacent notes.