Grace Note
A grace note is a small note written beside a normal-size main note. It decorates that note, usually with a quick approach from a neighboring pitch. Its small size tells you to read it differently from an ordinary counted note in the measure.
- small notehead
- attached to a main note
- timing needs context
What does a grace note look like?
Look for a smaller notehead with a stem near the full-size note it decorates. Some have a slash through the stem or flag; others do not. The small note does not simply add another full beat to the measure. Its sounding time comes from the surrounding note or immediate approach.
Is every grace note played before the beat?
No. A short slashed grace note, often called an acciaccatura, is commonly played very quickly around or just before the beat. An unslashed Appoggiatura may land on the beat and take audible time from the main note. Styles and editions differ, so read more than the note size alone.
What pitch do you play?
The small notehead has its own staff position and may have an accidental. Read that pitch first, then the full-size destination. If the small note is F and the main note is G, do not guess an E because it is also a neighbor of G.
Try it in time
Count four beats and put G on beat three. Add a small F approach without moving the G to a later beat. Then try letting the F land on beat three and G follow within that beat. These are different realizations; the score's sign and style decide which fits.
Keep going
Everything in ornaments
- Appoggiatura
- Grace Note
- Mordent
- Trill
- Turn