Embellishment

How it is used

Common in singing and instrumental playing, especially in classical, folk, jazz, and traditional styles. It may be written or added by the performer.

Example sentences

1. Her final phrase included a gentle embellishment that made the repeated melody sound fresh without distracting from the lyrics.

   Here, embellishment means a decorative musical detail that adds interest while keeping the main melodic line recognizable.

2. The violin teacher asked the student to remove one embellishment because the Baroque line was already expressive enough.

   In this sentence, embellishment refers to an extra ornament whose artistic effect must suit the style and not overload it.

Common collocations

• vocal embellishment
• melodic embellishment
• add an embellishment

Related terms

• melodyA sequence of single notes that forms a recognisable musical line, often the part that people remember and sing along to.
• noteA single musical sound with a particular pitch and length, or the written symbol that shows it. In English, notes are named with the letters A to G.

More terms: Performance and Practice

• rehearsal
• practice
• gig
• conductor
• solo
• improvise
• soundcheck
• setlist
• stage fright
• encore
• accompaniment
• ad libitum