diff --git a/packages/mondough/mondough.mjs b/packages/mondough/mondough.mjs
index 6e8278939..15feb5d86 100644
--- a/packages/mondough/mondough.mjs
+++ b/packages/mondough/mondough.mjs
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ lib['%'] = pace;
 lib['?'] = degradeBy; // todo: default 0.5 not working..
 lib[':'] = tail;
 lib['..'] = range;
+lib['def'] = () => silence;
 lib['or'] = (...children) => chooseIn(...children); // always has structure but is cyclewise.. e.g. "s oh*8.dec[.04 | .5]"
 //lib['or'] = (...children) => chooseOut(...children); // "s oh*8.dec[.04 | .5]" is better but "dec[.04 | .5].s oh*8" has no struct
 
diff --git a/website/src/pages/learn/mondo-notation.mdx b/website/src/pages/learn/mondo-notation.mdx
index 3b00b9902..e2b0c4027 100644
--- a/website/src/pages/learn/mondo-notation.mdx
+++ b/website/src/pages/learn/mondo-notation.mdx
@@ -176,3 +176,16 @@ $ chord <Dm9!3 Db7> # voicing
 />
 
 The `$` sign is an alias for `,` so it will create a stack behind the scenes.
+
+## variables
+
+using the `def` keyword, you can define variables:
+
+<MiniRepl
+  client:idle
+  mondo
+  tune={`
+$ def melody [0 1 2 3]
+$ n melody # scale C:minor
+`}
+/>