A sideways V above a note in musical notation is called an inverted mordent. It indicates that the note should be played with a rapid alternation between the main note, the note above it, and the main note again. The inverted mordent is a type of ornament or embellishment that adds flair and interest to the melody. Understanding what this symbol means helps musicians accurately interpret the composer’s intentions.
Definition of an Inverted Mordent
An inverted mordent is a musical ornament notation indicating that the written note should be played quickly alternating between the main note, the note above it, and the main note again. It consists of a short secondary note one step higher than the principal note, followed by a return to the principal note. The symbol for an inverted mordent is a short squiggly line above the note, looking like a sideways letter V or an inverted u.
The term “inverted mordent” comes from the German word “Mordant” meaning “biting” or “nipping”. Just as the word suggests, the alternating notes in the ornament slightly “bite” into the principal melody note, adding spice and color. The “inverted” part of the name refers to the fact that it is the opposite of the regular mordent ornament, in which the alternation is between the main note and the note below it.
How to Play an Inverted Mordent
To perform an inverted mordent properly, the musician should:
- Play the main written note for slightly less than its full value
- Quickly play the note above it once
- Return to the main note, held for the remaining time value
The alternation between the main note and the higher auxiliary note should be executed rapidly at the very beginning of the overall duration. This leaves the majority of the written note’s value to be played by the final re-articulation of the main note.
For example, if an inverted mordent appears above a quarter note, the musician would play the main written pitch for perhaps an eighth note duration, quickly play the higher pitch for a 32nd note, then return to hold the original pitch for the remaining dotted quarter note time value.
Difference from Other Ornaments
The inverted mordent is similar to some other music ornamentation symbols, but has distinct differences:
- Regular mordent – The regular mordent rapidly alternates between the written note and the note below it, rather than above.
- Turn – A turn rapidly alternates between a note, the note above it, the main note again, and the note below it. An inverted mordent omits the final below note.
- Trill – A trill rapidly alternates between the written note and the note above it, but continues for the full duration of the note rather than occurring as a short beginning embellishment.
So while it shares some similarities with other ornaments, the inverted mordent has its own distinct definition of quickly embellishing the beginning of the main note with the single higher neighbor tone.
Examples in Music
Inverted mordents can be found in music from the Baroque period through the Romantic era. Here are some examples:
- In J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1, an inverted mordent appears on the first F# of Prelude No. 6 in D minor.
- Mozart uses inverted mordents frequently in his Piano Sonata in A minor, K. 310, including on the opening D of the first movement.
- An inverted mordent appears on the first G note of Chopin’s well-known Minute Waltz in D-flat major, adding charm to the melody.
How to Notate an Inverted Mordent
Here are some tips on how to properly notate an inverted mordent in sheet music:
- Place the symbol above the note it applies to. Position it vertically centered on the note head.
- Draw it with a short, thick squiggly line arching up and down to resemble a sideways letter V or inverted shallow U shape.
- Use it in moderation, as too many will clutter the score. In general use them at cadences or other musically important notes.
- If you want it performed on a longer note, write the inverted mordent followed by a line through the note stem to indicate holding the principal note.
Conclusion
The inverted mordent is a fun musical ornament that adds flair to melodies in classical, baroque, romantic and other genres. With its distinctive sideways V shape, it indicates quickly playing the principal written note, then the note above it, then back to the original note in a biting embellishment. By understanding what this symbol means and how to properly execute it, musicians can confidently perform inverted mordents when encountered in musical scores.