De mordent
Example: De violist gebruikte een snelle mordent om de melodie te versieren.
Definition
"De mordent" is a musical ornament consisting of a rapid alternation between a principal note and the note immediately below or above it. It is used to embellish a melody, adding expression and complexity to the musical phrase.
Etymology
The term "de mordent" comes from the Italian word 'mordente,' meaning 'biting.' This reflects the sharp, quick nature of the ornament. The word entered musical terminology during the Baroque period, highlighting its long-standing role in classical music decoration.
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"De mordent" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - Music - (C2) - set 1", containing 99 commonly used words.
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