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 Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one-eighth the value of a whole note or half the value of a quarter note.
Accidentals
Sharps, flats and naturals that do not appear in a key signature.
Broken Chords
Chord tones played one note at a time that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.
Compound Time Signature
A time signature where the fundamental beat is subdivided in groupings of three instead of two.
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.
Dominant Seventh Chords
Four-note chords comprised of the root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, and minor 7th.
Dotted Quarter Notes
Quarter notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three 8th notes.
First Inversion Chords
Chords with an alternate ordering of their tones where the root is placed on the top and the 3rd and 5th below.
Mezzo Piano
An indication instructing the player to play moderately soft; between mezzo forte and piano.
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.
Two Note Slurs
Two notes connected together smoothly where the second note is played softer and lighter.
Melody Between Hands
A simple melody line shared by both the right hand and the left hand.
- Block the Broken Chords
- Choose Good Fingerings
- Demonstrate
- Focus On Expressive Markings
- Focus on the Left Hand Accompaniment Patterns
- Help Student Achieve Sensitive and Musical Playing
- Map Out Hand Position Shifts
- 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