Small question about theory

[infectedmushroom]

I'm learning this Chopin Nocturne right now, but since I don't got Pianolessons, so I wondered what this sign meant:





Thanks in advanced

[preludium]

It's a turn, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornament_(music)#Turn
The accidentals refer to the upper and the lower note of the turn. Looks like this is over a C, so you have to play it C-Db-C-B-C.

[infectedmushroom]

It's a turn, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornament_(music)#Turn
The accidentals refer to the upper and the lower note of the turn. Looks like this is over a C, so you have to play it C-Db-C-B-C.

Thanks for your reply.


So, between the two "C notes" I have to play Db-C-B ?


If I play that and I compare it with this performance of the Nocturne:   

It sounds like I'm still missing one note in that part... But maybe I'm playing it wrong.

[pianistimo]

the dolmetch site calls this a 'cadence' or 'turn' as it is now called.  traditionally in bach's time it would start on the upper note  (in this case Db to C to B and back to C) and follow the fingering suggested.

but, with chopin the fingering for C Db C B C would be 34321.  maybe just add in the extra C?  how did chopin play these passages? 

[pianistimo]

is this a play on words?  turns in chopin nocturnes?

[preludium]

The wikipedia article is quite clear about this: if the sign is above the note then you start the ornament with the note above the written one, if the sign is shifted to the right, then you start with the written note, so a C in that case.

"Cadence" would probably be the worst possible name for this ornament, because this word is already overloaded as
- a chord progression that resolves to the tonic
- an instrumental solo in a concert

As I'm writing this I realize that "concert" is overloaded as well. Language obviously isn't the most logical thing man has invented. By the way, the translation of the German name for this ornament would be "double stroke".