16th Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one-sixteenth the value of a whole note or one quarter of a quarter note.
8th Note Alberti Bass Accompaniment
A type of accompaniment pattern that uses a persistent 8th note rhythm with a low-high-middle-high note configuration.
8th Note Broken Chord Accompaniment
A type of accompaniment pattern that uses a persistent 8th note rhythm with broken chords, in varying note configurations.
8th Note Parallel 3rds
A series of any amount or quality of blocked 3rd intervals that are played in one hand and move up or down in primarily 8th note rhythms.
Blocked Chord Accompaniment
A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses root-position major and minor triads with simple or slow-moving rhythms.
Blocked Chords
Chord tones played together that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.
Broken Chords
Chord tones played one note at a time that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.
Broken Octave Accompaniment
A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses broken octave intervals with simple or slow-moving rhythms.
Chord Inversions
Chords with alternate ordering of their tones where the root is placed either in the middle or at the top of the chord.
Compound Time Signature
A time signature where the fundamental beat is subdivided in groupings of three instead of two.
Diminished Seventh Chords
Four-note chords comprised of the root, minor 3rd, diminished 5th, and diminished 7th; typically have a dominant function.
Dominant Seventh Chords
Four-note chords comprised of the root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, and minor 7th.
Dotted 8th Notes
8th notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three 16th notes.
Dotted Quarter Notes
Quarter notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three 8th notes.
Extended Hand Positions
Hand positions that require stretching beyond a five finger scale; usually to play intervals that are 6ths or greater.
First Inversion Chords
Chords with an alternate ordering of their tones where the root is placed on the top and the 3rd and 5th below.
Grace Notes
Ornamentations that are notated in a smaller size than normal notes and played slightly before them.
Natural Minor Scale
A type of minor diatonic scale built by lowering the 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees of its parallel major scale by one semitone.
Ornaments
Embellishments added to melodies that serve to decorate, increase interest, and allow performers to add their own unique expressiveness.
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.
Shifting Hand Positions
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.
Ties
Symbols indicating that two notes are to be played as one with the value equal to their sum.
Two Note Slurs
Two notes connected together smoothly where the second note is played softer and lighter.
- Focus On Expressive Markings
- Focus on the Left Hand Accompaniment Patterns
- Hands Separate Practice
- Help Student Achieve Sensitive and Musical Playing
- Highlight the Contrast in Articulation
- Make Rhythmic Exercises Using Difficult Rhythms
- Work on Creating a Good Tone
- Work on Creating a Mysterious Character
- Work on Expressive Phrasing
- Work on Getting the Correct Style