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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

PV

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

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