Variations on Balkan Themes Op.60

Amy Beach

A series of any amount or quality of blocked 3rd intervals that are played in one hand and move up or down in primarily 16th note rhythms.

16th Note Parallel 3rds

Notes whose lengths are equal to half the value of one sixteenth note.

32nd Notes

A type of technically challenging and musically complex texture where one or both hands play several voices simultaneously.

Advanced Multiple Voices in One Hand

Notes that are either raised or lowered by two semitones.

Double Accidentals

A series of parallel octaves played simultaneously in both hands.

Double Octaves

A technique that involves quickly shifting hands beyond an octave.

Leaps Greater Than an Octave

More than one time signature used in a single piece or movement.

Multiple Time Signatures

An ornament consisting of a rapid alternation between two adjacent notes, either a semitone or whole tone apart.

Trills

A series of parallel octaves played simultaneously in both hands using predominantly 16th note rhythms.

16th Note Double Octaves

Leaps greater than an octave that are to be executed at a fast speed and in succession. 

Rapid Leaps

More than one clef used in a staff in a single piece or movement.

Clef Changes

Indications placed above or below notes instructing the player to hold those notes longer than their original notated length.

Fermatas

Arpeggios played one hand at a time using predominantly 32nd note rhythms.

32nd Note Arpeggios

An indication instructing the player to play very softly; softer than piano.

Pianissimo

Also called the damper pedal, it is the rightmost pedal on the piano and used to sustain notes by moving the dampers away from the strings.

Sustain Pedal

Indications instructing the player to put special emphasis on notes.

Accents

A trembling effect that is achieved by playing rapidly repeating notes in succession. 

Tremolo

An indication instructing the player to play very loudly; louder than forte.

Fortissimo

A series of blocked octaves that are played in one hand and move up or down in primarily 16th note rhythms.

16th Note Parallel Octaves

A blocked chord whose notes are played quickly in succession which gives the chord a harp-like sound.

Rolled Chords

Passages with constant step-wise motion in both hands simultaneously using predominantly 32nd note rhythms.

32nd Note Double Scale Passages

8th notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three 16th notes.

Dotted 8th Notes

Notes whose lengths are equal to one-sixteenth the value of a whole note or one quarter of a quarter note.

16th Notes

An Italian term meaning "delaying"; an indication instructing the player to decrease speed, often gradually.

Ritardando

An indication instructing the player to play extremely softly; softer than pianissimo.

Cadenza Op. 60

Amy Beach

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