Agrement

/ˈæɡrəmɑ̃/ noun

Definition

A French-origin word meaning an ornamental embellishment or grace note in music; a decorative flourish.

Etymology

From French 'agrément' (charm, grace, appeal) from Latin 'ad gratum' (to pleasure). In musical terminology, adopted into English during the Baroque period.

Kelly Says

When you listen to a harpsichord piece by Handel compared to modern sheet music, those trills, turns, and extra notes are agréments—they were considered essential to making music beautiful. Different regions had different agrément styles, like regional cooking!

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