The arpeggiated chord · Ornaments · Music theory
A vertical wavy line in front of a chord means its notes do not sound together: they are played quickly one after the other, usually from low to high, and…
The arpeggiated chord
A vertical wavy line in front of a chord means its notes do not sound together: they are played quickly one after the other, usually from low to high, and held to complete the value.
Arpeggios with a direction
An arrow at the end of the wavy line shows the direction: upward, the normal one; downward, from high to low. If the line joins the piano’s two staves, the arpeggio runs through both hands in one go; if each hand has its own, each starts at the same time.
With no line, and the chord written in normal values, it is played together: an arpeggio is not assumed, except in very specific styles.