Appoggiaturas

Definition

An appoggiatura is a melodic ornament that involves a non-chord tone, typically approached by a leap and resolved to a consonant note, often creating a momentary dissonance. This embellishment adds expressiveness and depth to a melody, as it emphasizes the tension between the dissonant note and the resolution to a stable tone, enhancing emotional impact within the music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Appoggiaturas are typically approached by leap rather than step, distinguishing them from other non-chord tones.
2. In classical music, appoggiaturas are often notated with a small note preceding the main note, indicating their ornamental nature.
3. They usually resolve downward to the nearest chord tone, creating a strong sense of tension followed by release.
4. The use of appoggiaturas can vary in style across different musical periods, but they are particularly prominent in the Baroque and Romantic eras.
5. Composers often use appoggiaturas to convey heightened emotions, making them effective in expressive passages of music.

Review Questions

• How do appoggiaturas function within a melodic line and what effect do they create?
  • Appoggiaturas function as non-chord tones that create temporary dissonance when they are introduced into a melodic line. By approaching these tones by leap and resolving them down to consonant notes, they build tension that enhances the overall emotional expression of the music. This dynamic interplay between tension and resolution draws the listener's attention and adds depth to the melody.
• Compare and contrast appoggiaturas with suspensions in terms of their approach and resolution.
  • While both appoggiaturas and suspensions create moments of dissonance, they differ in their approach and resolution. An appoggiatura is typically approached by leap and resolves downwards to a chord tone, generating immediate tension. In contrast, a suspension is sustained from a previous chord tone and resolves downward after creating dissonance. Both techniques enrich melodies but use different methods to engage listeners emotionally.
• Evaluate how the use of appoggiaturas has evolved in different musical periods and its impact on composers' expressive techniques.
  • The use of appoggiaturas has seen significant evolution across musical periods, particularly thriving in the Baroque and Romantic eras where expressiveness was paramount. Composers began to explore appoggiaturas not only as decorative elements but as pivotal devices for conveying deep emotions. This evolution impacted how composers structured their melodies, leading to more complex emotional narratives in their works. Today, appoggiaturas continue to be an essential element in various genres, demonstrating their lasting significance in music composition.

Related terms

Neighbor Tone: A non-chord tone that is approached by step from a chord tone and then returns to the original chord tone, often creating a melodic decoration.

Suspension: A non-chord tone that is sustained from a previous chord, creating dissonance before resolving down to a consonant tone, similar in effect to an appoggiatura.

Acciaccatura: A quick, grace note that is played just before the main note, creating a brief dissonance that resolves almost immediately, providing a different type of ornamentation.