Island Calypso by Dennis Alexander and Martha Mier

8th Notes

Rhythm

Notes whose lengths are equal to one-eighth the value of a whole note or half the value of a quarter note.

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8th Rests

Rhythm

Silence that equals the length of one 8th note.

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Accents

Expression

Indications instructing the player to put special emphasis on notes.

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Blocked 6ths

Intervals

Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 6th of any quality.

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Blocked Chord Accompaniment

Accompaniment Patterns

A type of accompaniment pattern that primarily uses major and minor triads with simple or slow-moving rhythms.

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Broken Chords

Chords

Chord tones played one note at a time that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.

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C Major Five Finger Scale

Scales and Hand Positions

A simple scale that contains the first five notes of the C Major scale.

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Crossing Over Thumb

Hand and Finger Techniques

The physical motion of crossing fingers 2, 3, 4, or 5 over the thumb; used when playing scalar passages or outside of five finger scales.

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D.C. al Fine

Notes and Notation

An indication instructing the player to go back to the beginning of a piece and play until "Fine".

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Extended Hand Positions

Hand and Finger Techniques

Hand positions that require stretching beyond a five finger scale; usually to play intervals that are 6ths or greater.

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Shifting Hand Positions

Hand and Finger Techniques

A technique that requires the player to pick up and move their hand to a new position; usually from a five finger scale to another.

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Staccato

Expression

A type of articulation indicating the player to play short and light; notes not held for their full value.

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Syncopation

Rhythm

Temporary displacement of established meter by the stressing of a weak beat.

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Island Calypso

Dennis Alexander
Martha Mier

Video

Elements

8th Notes

8th Rests

Accents

Blocked 6ths

Blocked Chord Accompaniment

Broken Chords

C Major Five Finger Scale

Crossing Over Thumb

D.C. al Fine

Extended Hand Positions

Shifting Hand Positions

Staccato

Syncopation

Details