Accompaniment Patterns

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

Chords

Chord tones played together that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.

Chords

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

Accompaniment Patterns

A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses broken octave intervals 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.

Meter

A time signature where the fundamental beat is subdivided in groupings of three instead of two.

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

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

Rhythm

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

Hand and Finger Techniques

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

Chords

Chords with an alternate ordering of their tones where the root is placed on the top and the 3rd and 5th below.

Expression

Ornamentations that are notated in a smaller size than normal notes and played slightly before them.

Scales

A type of minor diatonic scale built by lowering the 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees of its parallel major scale by one semitone.

Expression

Embellishments added to melodies that serve to decorate, increase interest, and allow performers to add their own unique expressiveness.

Intervals

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.

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.

Rhythm

Symbols indicating that two notes are to be played as one with the value equal to their sum.

Expression

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