Intervals

Sharps, flats and naturals that do not appear in a key signature.

Meter

Sometimes called upbeats or pickup notes; a note or series of notes that precede and give stress to the first downbeat of a piece.

Accompaniment Patterns

A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses broken chords in varying note configurations, with simple or slow-moving rhythms.

Chords

Chord tones played one note at a time that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.

Chords

Chords with alternate ordering of their tones where the root is placed either in the middle or at the top of the chord.

Notation

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

Expression

Indications instructing the player to play gradually louder (crescendo) or softer (diminuendo).

Hand and Finger Techniques

The physical motion of crossing fingers 2, 3, 4, or 5 over the thumb; used when playing scalar passages or outside of five finger scales.

Hand and Finger Techniques

The physical motion of crossing the thumb under fingers 2, 3, 4, or 5; used when playing scalar passages or outside of five finger scales.

Chords

Four-note chords comprised of the root, minor 3rd, diminished 5th, and diminished 7th; typically have a dominant function.

Chords

Four-note chords comprised of the root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, and minor 7th.

Rhythm

Half notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three quarter notes.

Hand and Finger Techniques

Hand positions that require stretching beyond a five finger scale; usually to play intervals that are 6ths or greater.

Accompaniment Patterns

A type of waltz accompaniment pattern that uses intermediate skills like shifting, extending, and multiple voices, but without octave leaps.

Intervals

Two notes played in succession, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 2nd of any quality.

Rhythm

Notes whose lengths are equal to one-fourth the value of a whole note.

Notation

A symbol indicating that a section should be repeated.

Hand and Finger Techniques

A technique that requires the player to pick up and move their hand to a new position; usually from a five finger scale to another.

Expression

A type of articulation indicating the player to play short and light; notes not held for their full value.

Expression

Two notes connected together smoothly where the second note is played softer and lighter.