What is an Accent?

An accent in music is a marking that tells a performer to emphasize a particular note or beat. This emphasis is usually achieved by playing the note slightly louder, stronger, or more forcefully than the surrounding notes. Accents help highlight important parts of a melody or rhythm.

In written music, an accent is often shown with a small symbol that looks like a “greater-than” sign (>) placed above or below the note. When musicians see this marking, they give that note extra emphasis while still keeping the overall rhythm and timing of the music.

Accents are commonly used in many musical styles to add expression and rhythmic character. They can make a melody stand out, strengthen a groove, or create dynamic contrast within a musical phrase. By emphasizing certain notes, accents help shape the musical phrasing and bring greater energy to a performance.