Mordent

Definition

An ornament which sounds the main note, the note above and then the main note again. An inverted mordent sounds the main note, the note below and then the main note again.

A mordent symbol, and how the mordent would be performed

An inverted mordent symbol, and how the inverted mordent would be performed

Examples

The introduction to this piece includes one of the best known uses of the mordent.

Related concepts

• Ornament (N4)