Intervals

Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 3rd of any quality.

Accompaniment Patterns

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

Accompaniment Patterns

A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses broken octave intervals with simple or slow-moving rhythms.

Meter

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

Texture

A type of texture where the contour of the notes in one hand is the exact opposite to that of the other hand as they play simultaneously.

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

Rhythm

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

Rhythm

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

Rhythm

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

Rhythm

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

Texture

A type of texture where one hand plays a series of notes that are mimicked in the other hand.

Texture

A type of texture where one or both hands play more than one voice at a time with large intervals, many hand positions, and complex rhythms.

Texture

A type of texture where the left hand plays the melody and the right hand plays the accompaniment for an extended period of time.

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.

Intervals

Two notes played in succession, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 3rd of any quality.

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.

Intervals

A series of any amount or quality of blocked 6th intervals that are played in one hand, and where both notes move up or down in parallel motion.

Texture

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.

Rhythm

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

Intervals

A series of blocked 3rds that occur several times in a row throughout a piece.

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.