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.
8th Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one-eighth the value of a whole note or half the value of a quarter note.
8th Rests
Silence that equals the length of one 8th note.
Blocked 3rds
Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 3rd of any quality.
Broken Chord Accompaniment
A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses broken chords in varying note configurations, with simple or slow-moving rhythms.
Broken Octave Accompaniment
A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses broken octave intervals with simple or slow-moving rhythms.
Compound Time Signature
A time signature where the fundamental beat is subdivided in groupings of three instead of two.
Contrary Motion
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.
Crossing Over Thumb
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.
Crossing Thumb Under
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.
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 Half Notes
Half notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three quarter notes.
Dotted Quarter Notes
Quarter notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three 8th notes.
Half Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one half the value of a whole note.
Imitation
A type of texture where one hand plays a series of notes that are mimicked in the other hand.
Intermediate Two Voices in One Hand
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.
Left Hand Melody
A type of texture where the left hand plays the melody and the right hand plays the accompaniment for an extended period of time.
Melodic 2nds
Two notes played in succession, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 2nd of any quality.
Melodic 3rds
Two notes played in succession, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 3rd of any quality.
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.
Parallel 6ths
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.
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.
Repeated 3rds
A series of blocked 3rds that occur several times in a row throughout a piece.
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.
- Block the Broken Chords
- Demonstrate
- Focus On Expressive Markings
- Focus on the Left Hand Accompaniment Patterns
- Hands Separate Practice
- Help Student Achieve Sensitive and Musical Playing
- Isolate Finger Five
- Isolate Single Notes Within Chords
- Isolate Voices
- Make Rhythmic Exercises Using Difficult Rhythms
- Play Without the Ornaments
- Slow Practice
- Study the Contour of the Melody
- Work on a Smooth Legato Touch
- Work on Creating a Good Tone
- Work on Expressive Phrasing
- Work on Getting the Correct Style