What is the squiggly line or zigzag in piano sheets?

[leigh anne]

Hello! Yesterday I started practising Schubert's Serenade and today I am almost finished if it werent for these zigzag lines before a note. Usually I see them behind a chord. What is this zigzag thing for and what is it called? Thanks!

- Leigh

[hmoll53]

Hey, nice piece! The squiggly lines are usually for when you roll the chords.
Hope this helps

[leigh anne]

It helped a lot hmoll53. Thanks for your comments to my posts.  But do you know what they are called?

[hmoll53]

It helped a lot hmoll53. Thanks for your comments to my posts.  But do you know what they are called?

I think they are just called arpeggiated chords, could be wrong though

[leigh anne]

Thanks hmoll53

[lelle]

I usually just call it an arpeggio or an arpeggio sign!

[leigh anne]

I usually just call it an arpeggio or an arpeggio sign!

OK lelle. Thanks.