16th Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one-sixteenth the value of a whole note or one quarter of a quarter note.
1st and 2nd Endings
Symbols that indicate different measures to play during repeated sections.
Accents
Indications instructing the player to put special emphasis on notes.
Crescendo and Diminuendo
Indications instructing the player to play gradually louder (crescendo) or softer (diminuendo).
Dotted 8th Notes
8th notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three 16th notes.
Legato
A type of articulation indicating the player to play smoothly and seamlessly, with the notes slightly overlapped.
Parallel Motion
A type texture that occurs when the contour, distance, and speed of the notes in one hand matches that of the other hand as they play together.
Quarter Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one-fourth the value of a whole note.
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.
Triplets
Notes whose values are determined by a subdivision into three-note groupings instead of two or four.
Two Note Slurs
Two notes connected together smoothly where the second note is played softer and lighter.
- Hands Separate Practice
- Play Small Segments
- Slow Practice
- Tap and Count
- Tap One Hand While Playing the Other