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Lesson Twelve: More Musical Terms and Symbols

Crescendo and Diminuendo

This is a Crescendo sign. It tells you to gradually play louder.

This is a Diminuendo sign. It tells you to gradually play softer.

Intervals

An interval is the difference between two sounds. Intervals have number-names which equal the amount of letter-names they include. For instance, in the first example above, the interval is a 3rd interval because it cover three different note places.

Fermata Sign

This is a fermata sign.

When this sign is placed above or under a note, you are to hold that note longer than the regular time value.

Accent Sign

This is an Accent Sign.

Play notes with an accent sign above them loudly, louder than the rest. While it is a good rule of thumb to accent the first note of every measure (play the first note of each measure a little louder than the other notes in that measure), accent marks specify which notes you should especially emphasize.

Octave Sign

These are Octave Signs:

An octave sign means to play an octave (or 8 keys) higher or lower, depending on where the octave sign is placed (above or below the note). For example, if the middle C has an octave sign above it, play the next highest C. If the octave sign is below the middle C, play the next lowest C. (This applies to any note, of course, not just C.)

Play an octave higher when the sign is placed above notes:

Play an octave lower when the sign is placed below notes:

Lesson Thirteen: More Musical Terms and Symbols

Emily Sigers
emily@thepianopages.com