16th Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one-sixteenth the value of a whole note or one quarter of a quarter note.
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.
Chromatic Scale
A scale comprised of only semitones which uses all 12 notes.
Fermatas
Indications placed above or below notes instructing the player to hold those notes longer than their original notated length.
Glissando
A continuous slide upwards or downwards from one note to another.
Grace Notes
Ornamentations that are notated in a smaller size than normal notes and played slightly before them.
Legato
A type of articulation indicating the player to play smoothly and seamlessly, with the notes slightly overlapped.
Multiple Time Signatures
More than one time signature used in a single piece or movement.
Octave Higher and Octave Lower
Symbols that indicate playing a note or range of notes either an octave higher or lower than notated.
Staccato
A type of articulation indicating the player to play short and light; notes not held for their full value.
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.
- Clap and Count
- Demonstrate
- Highlight Dynamic Contrasts
- Highlight the Contrasting Characters of Each Section
- Isolate Voices
- Play Similar Passages Together
- Play Small Segments
- Slow Practice
- Tap One Hand While Playing the Other