LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Eight note with a line through it -- what is that?

FransE -- 09/24/2006, 09:38:20 -- #30012

In a score I encountered an eight note with a line going diagonally through it at the top, just where the flag is. The note was F-sharp. What does that line signify? Frans

Jazz+ -- 09/24/2006, 10:39:22 -- #30012

That is a grace note and it's very common in classical music notaton. Grace notes are frequently played by jazz musicians and create the effect of bending or sliding a note.

DoubleZ -- 09/24/2006, 15:18:34 -- #30012

Also commonly referred to as a Blues Note. ...Also something that I use WAY too many of when improvising!

7 -- 09/24/2006, 15:27:34 -- #30012

A blues note and a grace note are not necessarily the same thing. The fancy term for grace note is appoggiatura, which means "a leaner" ie. a note that "leans" on another. Grace notes can be chromatic or diatonic. They are a very common form of ornamentation and can approach from eithe above or below. They are roughly equivalent (in both timing and feel) to an extremely small glissando.

FransE -- 09/26/2006, 02:41:17 -- #30012

Yes, thanks. Here's documentation for it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appoggiatura#Acciaccatura

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