Piano Vocab
Term | Definition |
Accelerando | Gradually getting faster |
Alla Breve | 2/2 time signature or Cut time |
Augmented | One of four sound qualities that is a half step larger than a major or perfect sound |
Augmented Interval | An interval one half step larger than a perfect or major interval |
Augmented Triad | A triad made larger than a major triad by raising the 5th one half step |
Cantabile | In a singing manner |
C Clef | A movable clef that identifies Middle C by the point on the staff where the two curved lines join |
C Clef Sign | Identifies the location of Middle C |
Chord Progression | Moving from one chord to another |
Compound Meter | Meters in which the beat divides into three and can further subdivide into six |
Counterpoint | Combination of two or more independent melodies |
Diminished | One of four sound qualities that is a half step smaller than a minor or perfect sound |
Diminished Interval | An interval one half step smaller than a minor or perfect interval |
Diminished Triad | A triad made smaller than a minor triad by lowering the 5th one half step |
Espressivo | With expression |
Grazioso | Graceful, elegant |
Half Cadence | Cadence that ends on the dominant chord |
Harmonic Analysis | Identifying and/or labeling the function of chords in a progression |
Imitation | The immediate restatement of a melody or motive in another voice or part |
Improvisation | Extemporized musical performance |
Invention | A short composition in two-part counterpoint |
Lento | Slow |
Maestoso | With majesty |
Melodic Minor Scale | Eight stepwise notes ascending with the pattern: whole, half, four whole, half; descending as a natural minor scale |
Mordent | A single rapid alternation from a principal tone to the note below and returning to the principal tone |
Opus | Work; usually a number indicating the chronological order of music written by a composer |
Passing Tone | A non-chord tone that moves by step between two different chords without changing direction |
Perfect Interval | The distance of unison, 4th, 5th & 8th from the tonic; part of the tonic’s major scale; cannot be major or minor |
Pitch Class | A group consisting of all pitches sharing the same letter name (plus its harmonic equivalents) |
Piu | More |
Piu Mosso | More motion |
Rallentando | Becoming slower |
Realization | To fill in the harmonic accompaniment to the figured bass |
Repetition | Repeat of a melodic or rhythmic pattern |
Second Inversion | A chord in which the root is the middle note |
Sequence | Repetition of a pattern at a higher or lower pitch |
Seventh Chords | Chords that contain a root, third, fifth, and seventh |
Simile | Continue in the same manner |
Tenuto | Hold for full value with a slight emphasis |
Vivace | Lively, quick |
15ma | Two octaves higher or lower |
-etto (suffix) | Enough |
-ino (suffix) | Little |
-issimo (suffix) | Enough |
Term | Definition |
Accelerando | Gradually getting faster |
Alla Breve | 2/2 time signature or Cut time |
Augmented | One of four sound qualities that is a half step larger than a major or perfect sound |
Augmented Interval | An interval one half step larger than a perfect or major interval |
Augmented Triad | A triad made larger than a major triad by raising the 5th one half step |
Cantabile | In a singing manner |
C Clef | A movable clef that identifies Middle C by the point on the staff where the two curved lines join |
C Clef Sign | Identifies the location of Middle C |
Chord Progression | Moving from one chord to another |
Compound Meter | Meters in which the beat divides into three and can further subdivide into six |
Counterpoint | Combination of two or more independent melodies |
Diminished | One of four sound qualities that is a half step smaller than a minor or perfect sound |
Diminished Interval | An interval one half step smaller than a minor or perfect interval |
Diminished Triad | A triad made smaller than a minor triad by lowering the 5th one half step |
Espressivo | With expression |
Grazioso | Graceful, elegant |
Half Cadence | Cadence that ends on the dominant chord |
Harmonic Analysis | Identifying and/or labeling the function of chords in a progression |
Imitation | The immediate restatement of a melody or motive in another voice or part |
Improvisation | Extemporized musical performance |
Invention | A short composition in two-part counterpoint |
Lento | Slow |
Maestoso | With majesty |
Melodic Minor Scale | Eight stepwise notes ascending with the pattern: whole, half, four whole, half; descending as a natural minor scale |
Mordent | A single rapid alternation from a principal tone to the note below and returning to the principal tone |
Opus | Work; usually a number indicating the chronological order of music written by a composer |
Passing Tone | A non-chord tone that moves by step between two different chords without changing direction |
Perfect Interval | The distance of unison, 4th, 5th & 8th from the tonic; part of the tonic’s major scale; cannot be major or minor |
Pitch Class | A group consisting of all pitches sharing the same letter name (plus its harmonic equivalents) |
Piu | More |
Piu Mosso | More motion |
Rallentando | Becoming slower |
Realization | To fill in the harmonic accompaniment to the figured bass |
Repetition | Repeat of a melodic or rhythmic pattern |
Second Inversion | A chord in which the root is the middle note |
Sequence | Repetition of a pattern at a higher or lower pitch |
Seventh Chords | Chords that contain a root, third, fifth, and seventh |
Simile | Continue in the same manner |
Tenuto | Hold for full value with a slight emphasis |
Vivace | Lively, quick |
15ma | Two octaves higher or lower |
-etto (suffix) | Enough |
-ino (suffix) | Little |
-issimo (suffix) | Enough |