In music notation, ornamentation is indicated either using a stylized smaller note attached to another note on the staff, or using a special symbol position above the staff directly over the note. Ornamentation encompasses a number of ways to add style, grace, and liveliness to the music in ways that would be impractical or impossible to render using ordinary notes.

Common types of ornamentation include the following:

• appoggiatura
• grace note (acciaccatura)
• trill
• turn
• mordent
• arpeggiation

Or`na*men*ta"tion (?), n.

1.

The act or art of ornamenting, or the state of being ornamented.

2.

That which ornaments; ornament.

C. Kingsley.

© Webster 1913.