Gruppetto
Definition. Little group — the Italian term for a turn ornament, the four-note figure ∽.
Detailed Explanation
Gruppetto is Italian for ‘little group’. As a musical term it refers to the turn ornament — a four-note figure consisting of upper auxiliary, principal, lower auxiliary, principal (or the inverse). The English term ‘turn’ and the Italian ‘gruppetto’ are essentially synonymous.
The ornament is one of the most common in 18th and 19th-century music. Its graceful four-note pattern decorates principal notes by ‘turning around’ them. Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Chopin all use gruppetti extensively; Verdi’s vocal lines are full of them.
In modern notation, the gruppetto is indicated by the horizontal S-symbol (∽). The exact placement (before, on, or after the beat) and the inclusion of accidentals on the auxiliary notes are stylistic conventions of the period and composer.
Etymology
Italian, diminutive of gruppo (‘group’).
In Practice
Execute the four notes evenly and gracefully. Light articulation; the gruppetto should decorate the principal note without weighing it down.
Notable Examples
- Mozart — Slow movements (frequent gruppetti)
- Verdi — Operatic arias (vocal gruppetti throughout)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gruppetto mean in music?
Little group — the Italian term for a turn ornament, the four-note figure ∽.
Where does the word Gruppetto come from?
Italian, diminutive of gruppo (‘group’).
How is Gruppetto performed in practice?
Execute the four notes evenly and gracefully. Light articulation; the gruppetto should decorate the principal note without weighing it down.
What musical terms are related to Gruppetto?
Related terms include: Turn, Trill, Mordent.
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