Learning Piano – Knowing the Lingo
Once you get the basics and notes down for playing the piano, you need to know what different words, phrases, and expression marks mean so that you can play the music as it was intended by the composer. These expression marks guide you as to when to play silently or loudly, smoothly or short and light.
Legato is marked by long curved lines from one note to another – these curved lines are called slurs. This indicates that the section should be played smoothly and connected. The opposite is staccato and is marked by dots above or below the note. Staccato notes are to be played short and punctuated. An accent note is punctuated with more force and is marked by a sideways carat.
The dynamics of piano playing determines how loud or soft a piece of music is played. A crescendo, which looks like a long accent (the sideways carat), indicates that the music is to get louder as played. A decrescendo, which is the accent in the opposite direction, indicates to gradually get softer.
Some additional dynamics include: forte = f (loud); piano = p (soft); mezzo forte = mf (medium loud); pianissimo = pp (very soft); and fortissimo = ff (very loud). These phrases and symbols can appear throughout a single piece of music and when learned can make a musical selection most enjoyable.
Even speed can be denoted by specific lingo in piano. Such as: adagio for slow; andante for moderately slow/walking tempo; moderato for moderate; and allegro for fast.
Accidentals raise and lower pitch to include notes that are not written in the key signature. Sharps and flats are considered accidentals even though they are considered a vital part of playing music. The symbol for a flat note looks like a “b” with the lower circle tilted upward and lowers the note by one half step. The symbol for a sharp note is the number sign (#) and raises the pitch of the note one half step. If the key signature for a piece is written in B natural, then the whole piece is expected to be played in B natural and there are no special markings. But if a section of the piece is written with the note as a B flat (non-key signature note), then it will have the accidental signifying it as such.
While this lingo may seem like Greek to beginners, once it is learned and can become a second nature to piano players. |
