Embellishment
(em-BEL-lish-ment)
[Eng.]
An ornamentation; notes, usually of short duration, that are added to the main melody of a composition to decorate or ornament the melody, they may be either written in by the composer or improvised by the performer. Generally, if there is a repeat in a composition, especially in a composition of the Renaissance of Baroque periods (2), the first statement would be played without ornamentation, but embellishments may be tastefully added to the repetition.
See also ornament; ornamentation.
More about Ornaments
SUGGESTED LISTENING EXAMPLE:
- Traditional: Greensleeves (arr. for harpsichord)
- W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank --
Disc 1, Track 30
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