1. a musical ornament consisting of a dissonant note that resolves to a consonant note, typically occurring on a strong beat
Usage: music theory

Examples

• The composer used an appoggiatura to create emotional tension in the melody.
• Bach frequently employed the appoggiatura as an expressive device in his compositions.
• The singer emphasized the appoggiatura with a slight crescendo before resolving to the main note.
• Students of music theory must learn to identify appoggiaturas in classical pieces.
• The appoggiatura in measure twelve adds a poignant quality to the phrase.
• Mozart’s use of the appoggiatura demonstrates his mastery of melodic ornamentation.