Mandolin Self Instructor, online tutorial - Page 67

A simplified self learning system for the Mandolin with tuning instruction, song folio, chord diagrams, sheet music and PDF for printing. By ZARH MYRON BICKFORD

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Grace Notes (continued)                                                   67
of the grace note, small as it is, is always taken from the principal or following note. Grove says: "It
(the grace note) consists in suspending or delaying a note of a melody by means of a note introduced
before it; the time required for its performance, whether long or short, being always taken from the
principal note'.' Originally grace notes were invariably written a step or a half step away from the
principal note, thus being actually suspensions or delayed progressions of the melody note. Since grace notes
must begin on the beat (in piano playing with the bass or accompaniment), it will be of assistance to compare
the single grace note to a word of two syllables, like "suc-ceed", in which the accent is entirely on the last
syllable. To speak this word quickly requires but a single impulse, this impulse of course being-started with
the first syllable (corresponding- to the grace note), but culminating- on the last syllable (corresponding to the
principal note). The double grace note can be compared to a three-syllabled word like "in-ter-cede',' in which the
accent also falls on the last syllable, the first two syllables corresponding to the two grace notes, while the
last syllable corresponds to the principal note. The word must be spoken very quickly and with but a single
impulse or thrust in order to get the comparison. In a broad sense, grace notes embrace all the various orna-
ments or embellishments used to adorn and beautify a melody, such as the Mordent, the Turn or Grupetto and
the Trill. Modern usage, however, confines the term entirely to the small notes, as explained above.
Remembrance
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