mordentit

Mordentit is a term of Latin origin, meaning "to bite" or "to sting." In its most common usage, it refers to a type of short, ornamental musical figure. Typically, a mordent involves the rapid alternation between a main note and a note either above or below it, before returning to the main note. The speed and nature of this alternation are generally at the performer's discretion, though context and period style often inform interpretation.

There are two primary types of mordents: the upper mordent and the lower mordent. An upper mordent involves a quick turn between the written note, the note a step above it, and then back to the written note. A lower mordent involves a quick turn between the written note, the note a step below it, and then back to the written note. The specific execution can vary; sometimes the alternation includes the intervening chromatic note, though this is less common in earlier music.

Mordents are typically indicated in musical notation by a small squiggle. The exact placement and appearance of this symbol can sometimes distinguish between an upper and lower mordent, or whether a chromatic alteration is intended. Mordents were particularly prevalent in Baroque and Classical era music, serving to add embellishment and expressiveness to melodies. Their presence is a key element in understanding the stylistic conventions of these periods.