Skip to content 
Piano playing is an art form that requires both technical skills and a deep understanding of musical language. This language, like any other, has its own vocabulary – the piano music terms.
Whether you are a budding pianist or a seasoned player, understanding these terms is crucial for interpreting and conveying the musical ideas embedded in every piece you play. This guide will take you through an extensive list of commonly used piano music terms, their definitions, and their significance in the realm of piano music.
Key Takeways
| Piano Terms | Summary Definitions |
|---|---|
| Articulation | The style in which notes are played |
| Dynamics | The varying levels of loudness or softness in a piece |
| Harmony | The simultaneous combination of different notes |
| Melody | The main theme or tune of the piece |
| Rhythm | The arrangement of beats over time in a piece of music |
| Tempo | The speed or pace at which a piece of music is played |
| Arpeggio | A chord played one note at a time, in a sequence |
| Chord | A group of two or more notes played simultaneously |
| Dominant | The fifth note of a scale |
| Major/Minor | Two different types of scales or keys |
| Octave | The interval between one musical note and another with double (or half) its frequency |
| Pentascale | A musical scale consisting of five notes |
| Allegro | A tempo marking that indicates a fast and lively speed |
| Andante | A tempo marking that signifies a moderately slow tempo |
| Crescendo | A dynamic instruction for the music to gradually get louder |
| Decrescendo | A dynamic instruction for the music to gradually get softer |
| Fermata | A musical symbol that indicates a note or rest should be held or sustained for longer than its written value |
| Forte | A dynamic marking indicating to play a section of music loudly |
| Legato | A term that instructs players to perform notes smoothly and connectedly |
| Piano | A dynamic marking that instructs the performer to play softly |
| Dolce | An expressive term indicating that a piece of music should be played in a gentle and sweet manner |
| Leggiero | A term used to indicate that a piece of music should be played lightly or delicately |
| Maestoso | A term that signals the performer to play the piece of music with grandeur or majesty |
| Sostenuto | A term that directs the performer to sustain or lengthen the notes or passage of music |
| Staccato | A term that instructs the performer to play the notes in a short, detached manner |
| Accelerando | A term that instructs the performer to gradually increase the tempo or speed of the music |
| Adagio | A tempo marking indicating a slow tempo |
| Ritardando | A term that instructs the performer to gradually slow down the tempo of the music |
| Rubato | A term that allows for flexible tempo |
| Vivace | A tempo marking indicating a very fast tempo |
| Fortissimo | A dynamic marking that instructs the performer to play very loudly |
| Mezzo Forte | A dynamic marking indicating to play at a moderately loud volume |
| Mezzo Piano | A dynamic marking instructing the performer to play moderately softly |
| Pianissimo | A dynamic marking that instructs the performer to play very softly |
| Da Capo | A directive for performers to return to the beginning of the piece and repeat it |
| Dal Segno | A directive instructs performers to return to a specific point in the music marked by a sign and continue playing from there |
| Fermata | A musical symbol that indicates a note or rest should be held or sustained for longer than its written value |
| Segue | A direction in music that instructs the performer to continue to the next section without a pause |
| Sforzando | A directive to play a note or chord with sudden, strong emphasis |
| Acciaccatura | A type of grace note, which is a note played quickly before the main note of a melody |
| Appoggiatura | A type of grace note that is longer in duration and often takes some of the time value away from the main note |
| Fermata | A symbol used in musical notation to indicate that a note or rest should be held longer than its written value |
| Leggiero | A term used to indicate that a piece of music should be played lightly or delicately |
| Mordent | A type of ornament in music that involves quickly playing the note above or below the main note |
1. General Music Concept Terms
1.1 Articulation
Articulation refers to the manner in which notes are played. It encompasses the style, length, and manner of playing the notes. For instance, a note can be played sharply and briefly (staccato) or smoothly and connectedly (legato).
1.2 Dynamics
Dynamics in music pertains to the varying levels of loudness or softness in a piece. It’s how a pianist controls the intensity of sound throughout the musical composition.
1.3 Harmony
Harmony is the simultaneous combination of different notes to create a more complex and rich sound. It supports the melody and adds depth to the musical piece.
1.4 Melody
The melody is the sequence of single tones in a piece of music that the listener perceives as a single entity. It’s the main theme or tune of the piece that you often find yourself humming along to.
1.5 Rhythm
Rhythm is the arrangement of beats or pulses over time in a piece of music. It’s the element of music that gives it a sense of flow or movement.
1.6 Tempo
Tempo refers to the speed or pace at which a piece of music is played. It can range from very slow (largo) to very fast (presto).
2. Musical Keys & Scales
2.1 Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a chord played one note at a time, in a sequence. It’s like playing a chord, but instead of hitting all the notes simultaneously, you play them consecutively.
2.2 Chord
A chord is a group of two or more notes played simultaneously. Chords form the harmonic foundation of a piece and can add depth and complexity to the melody.
2.3 Dominant
The dominant is the fifth note of a scale and is considered the second most important tone after the tonic. It plays a crucial role in creating musical tension and resolution.
2.4 Major/Minor
Major and minor refer to two different types of scales or keys. Major scales are often associated with a happy or bright mood, while minor scales tend to have a darker or sadder tone.
2.5 Octave
An octave is the interval between one musical note and another with double (or half) its frequency. It’s a way of grouping notes that sound similar but are higher or lower in pitch.
2.6 Pentascale
A pentascale is a musical scale consisting of five notes. It’s often used in piano teaching as it fits neatly under the five fingers of one hand.
3. Piano Piece Beginning Terms
3.1 Allegro
Allegro is a tempo marking that indicates a fast and lively speed. It’s one of the most common tempo markings and suggests a cheerful or brisk pace.
3.2 Andante
Andante is a tempo marking that signifies a moderately slow tempo — akin to a walking pace. It’s slower than allegro but faster than adagio.
3.3 Crescendo
A crescendo is a dynamic instruction for the music to gradually get louder. It’s often used to build up intensity or excitement in a piece.
3.4 Decrescendo
Decrescendo, also known as diminuendo, is a dynamic instruction for the music to gradually get softer. It’s often used to create a sense of receding sound or fading away.
3.5 Fermata
A fermata is a symbol placed over a note or rest indicating that it should be held or sustained longer than its written value. It gives the performer some freedom to add expressiveness to the music.
3.6 Forte
Forte is a dynamic marking indicating to play a section of music loudly. It’s often used to emphasize certain parts or to convey strong emotions or energy.
3.7 Legato
Legato is a term that instructs players to perform notes smoothly and connectedly. It’s the opposite of staccato and creates a flowing and seamless sound.
3.8 Piano
In musical terms, piano is a dynamic marking that instructs the performer to play softly. It’s the opposite of forte and can be used to create a sense of calmness or subtlety in the music.
4. Expressive Markings
4.1 Dolce
Dolce, from Italian meaning sweet, is an expressive term indicating that a piece of music should be played in a gentle and sweet manner.
4.2 Leggiero
Leggiero, meaning light in Italian, instructs the performer to play with a light touch, often to convey a sense of delicacy or subtlety.
4.3 Maestoso
Maestoso, meaning majestic or dignified, signals the performer to play the piece of music with grandeur or majesty.
4.4 Sostenuto
Sostenuto directs the performer to sustain or lengthen the notes or passage of music. It can create a sense of prolongation or suspense in the music.
4.5 Staccato
Staccato, opposite of legato, instructs the performer to play the notes in a short, detached manner. It creates a crisp and rhythmic effect in the music.
5. Tempo Terms
5.1 Accelerando
Accelerando instructs the performer to gradually increase the tempo or speed of the music. It can be used to build suspense or anticipation in a musical piece.
5.2 Adagio
Adagio is a tempo marking indicating a slow tempo. It’s slower than andante and often used to convey a sense of calmness or serenity in the music.
5.3 Ritardando
Ritardando instructs the performer to gradually slow down the tempo of the music. It can be used to create a sense of ending or winding down in a musical piece.
5.4 Rubato
Rubato is a term that allows for flexible tempo. It gives the performer some freedom to speed up or slow down certain sections of the music for expressive effect.
5.5 Vivace
Vivace, meaning lively, is a tempo marking indicating a very fast tempo. It’s faster than allegro and often used to convey a sense of excitement or urgency in the music.
6. Music Dynamics
6.1 Fortissimo
Fortissimo is a dynamic marking that instructs the performer to play very loudly. It’s louder than forte and often used to emphasize the most intense parts of the music.
6.2 Mezzo Forte
Mezzo forte is a dynamic marking indicating to play at a moderately loud volume. It’s louder than piano but softer than forte.
6.3 Mezzo Piano
Mezzo piano is a dynamic marking instructing the performer to play moderately softly. It’s softer than mezzo forte but louder than piano.
6.4 Pianissimo
Pianissimo is a dynamic marking that instructs the performer to play very softly. It’s the softest dynamic marking and often used to convey a sense of whisper or hush in the music.
7. Musical Directions
7.1 Da Capo
Da Capo, meaning from the beginning in Italian, is a directive for performers to return to the beginning of the piece and repeat it.
7.2 Dal Segno
Dal Segno, meaning from the sign, instructs performers to return to a specific point in the music marked by a sign and continue playing from there.
7.3 Fermata
Fermata is a musical symbol that indicates a note or rest should be held or sustained for longer than its written value.
7.4 Segue
Segue is a direction in music that instructs the performer to continue to the next section without a pause.
7.5 Sforzando
Sforzando is a directive to play a note or chord with sudden, strong emphasis. It’s often used to highlight a particular note or chord in the music.
8. Form and Structure
8.1 A-B Binary Form
Binary form, also known as A-B form, is a musical structure consisting of two distinct sections. It’s one of the simplest and most common forms in music.
8.2 A-B-A Ternary Form
Ternary form, also known as A-B-A form, is a musical structure consisting of three sections where the first and last sections are identical or similar, and the middle section is contrasting.
8.3 Rondo Form
Rondo form is a musical structure where a principal theme alternates with one or more contrasting themes. It’s often represented as A-B-A-C-A or A-B-A-C-A-B-A.
8.4 Sonata Form
Sonata form is a complex musical structure often used in the first movement of a sonata or symphony. It consists of three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation.
8.5 Through-Composed Form
Through-composed form is a musical structure where each section contains new material with no repeating parts.
9. Genres and Styles
9.1 Baroque
Baroque music is a style of Western art music that was composed from approximately 1600 to 1750. This era followed the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era.
9.2 Classical
The Classical period is a time in Western music from the mid-1700s to mid-1800s, and music from this period is known for its simplistic melodies and forms.
9.3 Jazz
Jazz is a genre of music that originated in African American communities in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s characterized by complex rhythms, improvisation, and distinctive tone colors and performance techniques.
9.4 Romantic
The Romantic period in music was from about 1820 to 1910. This period was marked by an emphasis on emotion, individualism, and personal expression.
9.5 12-Bar Blues
The 12-bar blues is a chord progression and musical form that is typically based on the I-IV-V chords of a key.
10. Piano Playing Techniques
10.1 Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a technique where notes of a chord are played in succession, either ascending or descending.
10.2 Glissando
Glissando is a technique where the performer moves one or more fingers rapidly over the piano keys, creating a sweeping, continuous sound.
10.3 Legato
Legato is a technique where notes are played smoothly and connectedly, with no noticeable gap between the notes.
10.4 Staccato
Staccato is a technique where notes are played in a detached and distinct manner, with a noticeable break between the notes.
10.5 Trill
A trill is a rapid alternation between two adjacent notes and is often used for ornamentation or to add complexity to a piece of music.
11. Other Piano Terminology
11.1 Acciaccatura
Acciaccatura is a type of grace note, which is a note played quickly before the main note of a melody. It’s typically used as an ornament or embellishment.
11.2 Appoggiatura
Appoggiatura, like acciaccatura, is a type of grace note. However, it’s longer in duration and often takes some of the time value away from the main note.
11.3 Fermata
A fermata is a symbol used in musical notation to indicate that a note or rest should be held longer than its written value. It’s often used to add emphasis or dramatic effect.
11.4 Leggiero
Leggiero is a term used to indicate that a piece of music should be played lightly or delicately.
11.5 Mordent
A mordent is a type of ornament in music that involves quickly playing the note above or below the main note.
In conclusion, understanding these piano music terms is a crucial part of your journey as a pianist. It not only helps you read and interpret sheet music accurately but also enables you to convey the intended emotions and nuances of the music effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are dynamics in piano music?
Dynamics refer to the loudness or softness of a musical piece. They are usually indicated by certain notations and symbols in a piece of music. Some of the common dynamic markings include piano (soft), forte (loud), pianissimo (very soft), and fortissimo (very loud).
What does legato mean in piano music?
Legato is an Italian term that means “tied together.” In piano music, it instructs the performer to play notes smoothly and connectedly. In piano playing, this often involves seamless transitions from one note to the next.
What is a chord in piano music?
A chord is a group of two or more notes played together at the same time. Chords are often used to create harmony in music, adding depth and richness to the melody.
What does tempo mean in piano music?
Tempo is the speed or pace at which a musical composition is performed. It can vary throughout a piece, and is typically indicated in Italian terms like “allegro” (fast), “andante” (walking pace), and “largo” (slow).
What is the function of the pedals on a piano?
Pianos typically have two or three pedals that alter the sound in different ways. The most commonly used pedal, the sustain pedal, allows the strings to continue vibrating after a key has been released, creating a sustained sound.
A word from the author
References
- Yuja Wang Family – All There is To Know! - June 4, 2024
- Top 10 Adjustable Piano Chairs in 2024 - June 2, 2024
- The 10 Most Popular Types of Jazz Piano You Need to Check Out! - May 31, 2024
