The Complete Idiot''s Guide to Music Theory

218 Par t 5:Embellishing

A grace note is like a little preview note before the main note.

Grace notes are typically written as small eighth notes, with a line drawn through

the stem and flag. The grace note can be on the same tone as the main note, or

on an adjoining tone. (You play whatever note the grace note is on.)

Turns

A turnis an ornament used primarily in Baroque and classical music. In a turn

the neighboring notes turn to the main note, “turning it around.”

Let’s look at how a turn works: When you see the turn mark (which looks like a

line turned around on itself), you play the diatonic note above the main note,

then the main note, then the note a step below the main note, and then the

main note again. Here’s how it looks on paper, and how you play it in practice:

A turn “turns around” the main note.

When you’re playing a turn, you have a bit of latitude for how fast you actually

play it. You can play a turn as written in the example, as a pure mathematical

subset of the note’s noted duration; or you can whip through the turn really

quickly, landing back on the main pitch until the note is done. It’s all a matter

of interpretation.

Trills

A trillis a way to extend a single note by alternating between two neighboring

tones. In particular, you alternate between the main note and the note one step

above, like this:

If you’re unsure

how to play a turn

in a piece of

music, ask your

conductor for the proper

interpretation.

Tip

Play a trill with a whole bunch of neighboring notes.

As with turns, there are many different ways to play a trill. The most common

approach is to alternate between the two notes as rapidly as possible, although

technically a trill can have a preparationin which you play the main note straight

before you enter into the “shake.” (You can also terminate the trill—or just trill

right into the next note.)