16th Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one-sixteenth the value of a whole note or one quarter of a quarter note.
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.
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 Chord Accompaniment
A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses root-position major and minor triads with simple or slow-moving rhythms.
Blocked Chords
Chord tones played together that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.
Chord Inversions
Chords with alternate ordering of their tones where the root is placed either in the middle or at the top of the chord.
Crescendo and Diminuendo
Indications instructing the player to play gradually louder (crescendo) or softer (diminuendo).
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.
Forte
An indication instructing the player to play loudly.
Fortissimo
An indication instructing the player to play very loudly; louder than forte.
Half Notes
Notes whose lengths are equal to one half the value of a whole note.
Half Rests
Silence that equals the length of one half note.
Hands Separate
A technique that involves only one hand playing at a time throughout most or all of a piece; used only at lower levels.
Homophony
A type of texture where a melody is supported by one or more voices with all the voices following the same or similar rhythm.
Ledger Lines
Additional lines added above or below the staff in order to place very high or very low notes that wouldn't normally fit on the staff.
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.
Minor Seventh Chords
Four-note chords composed of the root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th, and minor 7th.
Parallel 3rds
A series of any amount or quality of blocked 3rd intervals that are played in one hand, and where both notes move up or down in parallel motion.
Parallel 4ths
A series of any amount or quality of blocked 4th intervals that are played in one hand, and where both notes move up or down in parallel motion.
Parallel 5ths
A series of any amount or quality of blocked 5th intervals that are played in one hand, and where both notes move up or down in parallel motion.
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.
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.
Pianissimo
An indication instructing the player to play very softly; softer than piano.
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 3rds
A series of blocked 3rds that occur several times in a row throughout a piece.
Sforzando
Indications instructing the player to play with sudden emphasis.
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.
Tremolo
A trembling effect that is achieved by playing rapidly repeating notes in succession.
Triplets
Notes whose values are determined by a subdivision into three-note groupings instead of two or four.
Whole Notes
Notes whose lengths are four beats.
Whole Rests
Silence that equals the length of one whole note or an entire measure in 4/4 or 3/4.