8th Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one-eighth the value of a whole note or half the value of a quarter note.
D.C. al Fine
An indication instructing the player to go back to the beginning of a piece and play until "Fine".
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.
Fermatas
Indications placed above or below notes instructing the player to hold those notes longer than their original notated length.
Legato
A type of articulation indicating the player to play smoothly and seamlessly, with the notes slightly overlapped.
Octave Higher and Octave Lower
Symbols that indicate playing a note or range of notes either an octave higher or lower than notated.
Pianissimo
An indication instructing the player to play very softly; softer than piano.
Repeat Sign
A symbol indicating that a section should be repeated.
Ritardando
An Italian term meaning "delaying"; an indication instructing the player to decrease speed, often gradually.
Sustain Pedal
Also called the damper pedal, it is the rightmost pedal on the piano and used to sustain notes by moving the dampers away from the strings.
Syncopation
Temporary displacement of established meter by the stressing of a weak beat.
Ties
Symbols indicating that two notes are to be played as one with the value equal to their sum.
Two Octaves Higher and Lower
Symbols that indicate playing a note or range of notes either two octaves higher or lower than notated.
- Choose Good Fingerings
- Demonstrate
- Hands Separate Practice
- Isolate Voices
- Slow Practice