Gruppetto

/ɡrupˈɛtoʊ/ noun

Definition

In music, a short group of grace notes surrounding a single note, forming a decorative musical ornament; also called a turn.

Etymology

From Italian "gruppetto," diminutive of "gruppo" (group), meaning a small group. Borrowed into music terminology from Italian musical vocabulary.

Kelly Says

Gruppetto ornaments were wildly popular in Baroque music—composers like Bach and Handel used them constantly—and they're one of the reasons Baroque music sounds so decorative and flowery compared to later styles.

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