Mordent

A short zigzag above a note, instructing a single rapid alternation.

Also known as: Zigzag above a note, Squiggle ornament

MusicalEveryday & digitalQuiet profile

Meanings

A zigzag above a note means dip briefly to a neighbouring note and back. A vertical stroke through it reverses the direction, which is a great deal of meaning carried by one small line.

Common modern usageVerified fact
Instructs a single rapid alternation with the note above, returning immediately to the written note.
Contexts: Music
Common modern usageVerified fact
Reverses direction when struck through by a short vertical line, alternating with the note below instead.
Contexts: Music

Visual description

A short horizontal zigzag of two connected peaks placed above a notehead, sometimes crossed by a small vertical stroke through its centre.

A fuller structured visual breakdown is not yet documented for this symbol.

Part of the same system as: Trill
The ornament set.

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

Ornament (music)
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a mark instructs a performer to do and for uncontested history, never for a claim that any body defines staff notation.

Last reviewed 2026-07-31

Part of

Musical expression and technique marks

Help improve this page

Meanings

A zigzag above a note means dip briefly to a neighbouring note and back. A vertical stroke through it reverses the direction, which is a great deal of meaning carried by one small line.

Common modern usageVerified fact

Instructs a single rapid alternation with the note above, returning immediately to the written note.

Contexts: Music

Common modern usageVerified fact

Reverses direction when struck through by a short vertical line, alternating with the note below instead.

Contexts: Music

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Meanings

Visual description

Related & commonly confused symbols

Meanings

Visual description

Related & commonly confused symbols