What does mordent mean in music?

mordent means "rapid alternation with the note above or below".

What type of musical term is mordent?

mordent is a ornaments term — see the Theory Practice glossary for the rest of the ornaments word list.

What grade is mordent tested in?

mordent first appears at Grade 4 in ABRSM, AMEB and Trinity music theory exams, and stays in the syllabus for every grade above that.

Music theory · Musical terms · Ornaments

mordent — meaning in music

mordent is a musical term meaning rapid alternation with the note above or below. It is a ornaments marking, first tested at Grade 4 in ABRSM, AMEB and Trinity music theory exams. From that grade on, every written paper expects you to know it on sight.

Definition

rapid alternation with the note above or below

OrnamentsFirst tested: Grade 4

Translations

French	alternance rapide avec la note du dessus ou du dessous
German	schneller Wechsel mit der darüber oder darunter liegenden Note
Italian	alternanza rapida con la nota sopra o sotto
Spanish	alternancia rápida con la nota de arriba o de abajo
Chinese	与上面或下面的注释快速交替

Related terms

acciaccatura appoggiatura trill turn

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All ornaments terms

acciaccatura appoggiatura mordent trill turn