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.
Accents
Indications instructing the player to put special emphasis on notes.
Accidentals
Sharps, flats and naturals that do not appear in a key signature.
Blocked 2nds
Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 2nd of any quality.
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.
Blocked 4ths
Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 4th of any quality.
Blocked 5ths
Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 5th of any quality.
Blocked 6ths
Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 6th of any quality.
Blocked Chords
Chord tones played together that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.
Broken Chord Accompaniment
A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses broken chords in varying note configurations, with simple or slow-moving rhythms.
Broken Chords
Chord tones played one note at a time that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.
Crescendo and Diminuendo
Indications instructing the player to play gradually louder (crescendo) or softer (diminuendo).
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.
Dotted Quarter Notes
Quarter notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three 8th notes.
Forte
An indication instructing the player to play loudly.
Grand Staff 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.
Half Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one half the value of a whole note.
Legato
A type of articulation indicating the player to play smoothly and seamlessly, with the notes slightly overlapped.
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.
Melodic 4ths
Two notes played in succession, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 4th of any quality.
Melodic 5ths
Two notes played in succession, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 5th of any quality.
Melodic Octaves
Two notes played in succession, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of an octave of any quality.
Mezzo Forte
A simple melody line shared by both the right hand and the left hand.
Mezzo Piano
An indication instructing the player to play moderately soft; between mezzo forte and piano.
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.
Piano
An indication instructing the player to play softly.
Quarter Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one-fourth the value of a whole note.
Quarter Rests
Silence that equals the length of one quarter note.
Repeated Single Notes
The same note that occurs several times in a row throughout a piece.
Right Hand Only
A simple piece that is played using only the right hand.
Sforzando
Indications instructing the player to play with sudden emphasis.
Simple Key Signature
A key signature that contains only one sharp or flat: G Major, E minor, F Major, or D minor.
Simple Time Signature
A time signature where the fundamental beat is subdivided into groupings of two.
Staccato
A type of articulation indicating the player to play short and light; notes not held for their full value.
Tenuto
A type of articulation indicating to the player that a given note should be held for its full value or slightly more.
Ties
Symbols indicating that two notes are to be played as one with the value equal to their sum.
Whole Rests
Silence that equals the length of one whole note or an entire measure in 4/4 or 3/4.