Glossary of Terms
The mega glossary of piano related terms you absolutely MUST know!
Cadences in Piano Music
Cadences give piano music structure and make it easier to read and follow the music, like punctuation does in literature.
Cadences give piano music structure and make it easier to read and follow the music, like punctuation does in literature.
Triplet - Three Notes in the Time of Two
Triplets can be tricky unless you associate them with something else you already know.
Triplets can be tricky unless you associate them with something else you already know.
Riff - Repeated Musical Idea
A riff is a repeated musical idea which can be rhythmical or melodic, a chord, a bass line or even just a beat.
A riff is a repeated musical idea which can be rhythmical or melodic, a chord, a bass line or even just a beat.
Staccato - Detached Piano Playing
Staccato -- the opposite of legato -- means to play the notes on the piano in a detached manner, so they're separated.
Staccato -- the opposite of legato -- means to play the notes on the piano in a detached manner, so they're separated.
Legato - Smooth Piano Playing
Legato is the term used to describe playing notes on the piano in a smooth, connected manner. You try to go from one note to the other without leaving any gaps between.
Legato is the term used to describe playing notes on the piano in a smooth, connected manner. You try to go from one note to the other without leaving any gaps between.
Piano Glossary
A glossary of terms relating just to the piano and music written for the piano.
A glossary of terms relating just to the piano and music written for the piano.
Musical Terminology
For more musical terms online, visit "The Music Guidebook" with a full A-Z glossary of familiar and less well known words in many different languages.
For more musical terms online, visit "The Music Guidebook" with a full A-Z glossary of familiar and less well known words in many different languages.
Music Glossaries at About.com's Music Education Site
You'll find more musical terms on About.com by visiting the Music Education site.
You'll find more musical terms on About.com by visiting the Music Education site.
Classical Music Glossary
A one-page glossary written in plain English, with terms and definitions side by side for easy reference.
A one-page glossary written in plain English, with terms and definitions side by side for easy reference.