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.
Accidentals
Sharps, flats and naturals that do not appear in a key signature.
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.
Chromatic Scale
A scale comprised of only semitones which uses all 12 notes.
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.
Extended Hand Positions
Hand positions that require stretching beyond a five finger scale; usually to play intervals that are 6ths or greater.
Legato
A type of articulation indicating the player to play smoothly and seamlessly, with the notes slightly overlapped.
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 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.
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.
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.
- Hands Separate Practice
- Play Small Segments
- Tap One Hand While Playing the Other