noun
- a musical ornament consisting of a rapid alternation between a note and the note immediately below or above it
Usage: music
Examples
- The pianist executed a delicate mordent in the opening phrase.
- Bach’s compositions frequently feature mordents and other ornamental figures.
- She practiced the mordent slowly before attempting it at tempo.
- The upper mordent alternates with the note above, while the lower mordent uses the note below.
- Medieval manuscripts often indicated mordents with special symbols.
- The harpsichordist added several mordents to embellish the melody.