Acciaccatura is a musical term that denotes a grace note. The spelling of this word is somewhat tricky, as it contains several consecutive letters that are not commonly seen together in English. The correct pronunciation is /ətʃɑːkəˈtjʊərə/, with stress on the second syllable. The tricky sound combination is the sequence "cciacc", which is pronounced as "chah-chah" with a guttural "c". The word is of Italian origin and signifies a small, crushed note that is played quickly before the main note.
An acciaccatura is a musical ornament or grace note that is played quickly and immediately resolved to a main note. Derived from the Italian word "acciaccare," meaning to crush or squish, the acciaccatura adds a brief dissonance to a musical passage. It is indicated by a small note with a diagonal line through it, written above or below the main note. The acciaccatura is typically played as fast as possible, almost as if it were an instantaneous strike against the main note.
The purpose of an acciaccatura is to add tension, color, and emphasis to the main note. It creates a brief dissonance that quickly resolves to a consonance, enhancing the overall expressiveness and emotional impact of the music. As the acciaccatura is extremely short in duration, it is often played as a grace note leading into the main note, adding a subtle but distinctive decorative effect.
Acciaccature can be found in various musical styles and genres from the Baroque era to the present. They are commonly used in solo piano repertoire, chamber music, and orchestral compositions, as well as vocal music. Skillful execution of acciaccature requires precise timing and coordination to ensure a clean and precise connection between the grace note and the main note.
In music, a grace-note.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "acciaccatura" has its origins in the Italian language. It comes from the verb "acciaccare", which means "to crush" or "to beat down". The suffix "-tura" is a common suffix added to Italian verbs to form a noun. Therefore, "acciaccatura" can be translated as "a crushing" or "a beat-down". In the context of music, an acciaccatura is a short, decorative note that is played quickly before a main note, and it is often "crushed" or played very briefly.