Accompaniment Patterns

A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses root-position major and minor triads with simple or slow-moving rhythms.

Chords

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

Expression

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

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, major 3rd, perfect 5th, and minor 7th.

Notation

A type of notation that uses two standard five-line staves combined together with a brace; usually indicating right hand and left hand notes.

Rhythm

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

Hand and Finger Techniques

A technique that involves only one hand playing at a time throughout most or all of a piece; used only at lower levels.

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

Temporary displacement of established meter by the stressing of a weak beat.