Compound Time Signature
A time signature where the fundamental beat is subdivided in groupings of three instead of two.
Fermatas
Indications placed above or below notes instructing the player to hold those notes longer than their original notated length.
Ledger Lines
Additional lines added above or below the staff in order to place very high or very low notes that wouldn't normally fit on the staff.
Legato
A type of articulation indicating the player to play smoothly and seamlessly, with the notes slightly overlapped.
Minor Seventh Chords
Four-note chords composed of the root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th, and minor 7th.
Multiple Time Signatures
More than one time signature used in a single piece or movement.
Parallel 3rds
A series of any amount or quality of blocked 3rd intervals that are played in one hand, and where both notes move up or down in parallel motion.
Staccato
A type of articulation indicating the player to play short and light; notes not held for their full value.
Sustain Pedal
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.
Tempo Changes
More than one tempo indication used in a single piece or movement.
Tenuto
A type of articulation indicating to the player that a given note should be held for its full value or slightly more.
- Block the Broken Chords
- Focus On Expressive Markings
- Hands Separate Practice
- Play Small Segments
- Slow Practice