arpeggio

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39 The word arpeggio (plural arpeggi) is a derivation of the Italian word arpa (meaning harp), and from this word arpa and its corresponding verb arpeggiare (to play on the harp are derived also a number of other terms commonly used in instrumental music.

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Definitions (6)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. noun The sounding of the tones of a chord in rapid succession rather than simultaneously.
  2. noun A chord played or sung in this manner.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (2)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (1)

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Examples (44)

  • De Gier tried an arpeggio, then improvised freely. —  The Sergeant’s Cat and other stories - Janwillem van de Wetering
  • Every so often the music is interrupted by an electromechanical arpeggio -- like a jazz riff on a clarinet -- as the motors guiding the telescope spin up and down. —  American Scientist Online
  • His technical arsenal includes brilliant passage work, rapid bass lines, arpeggio-like figures ascending and descending, and subtle dynamic variations. —  BroadwayWorld.com Featured Content
  • The first bar is an A Minor arpeggio, and the second bar an G Major arpeggio. —  All Updates @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com
  • Of course if you start training your tremolo after learning staccato and arpeggio, it will take more time to develop it. —  Mandolin Cafe News
 

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Italian, from arpeggiare, to play the harp, from arpa, harp, of Germanic origin; see harp.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Italian, literally harping, from arpeggiare, play on the harp, from arpa, harp, from Middle Latin arpa, also harpa, harp: see harp.
 

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/ærˈpɛdʒə/
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