It's a Brand-New Day! by Dennis Alexander and Martha Mier

Blocked 3rds

Intervals

Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 3rd of any quality.

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Five Finger Scales

Scales and Hand Positions

Simple five-note scales whose notes fit within a comfortable hand shape; applied when more than one such scale appears in a piece.

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Flat

Notes and Notation

A sign placed in front of a note that lowers its pitch by a half step.

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Forte

Expression

An indication instructing the player to play loudly.

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Half Notes

Rhythm

Notes whose lengths are equal to one half the value of a whole note.

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Hand Crossing

Hand and Finger Techniques

A technique that involves one hand crossing over or under the other.

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Hands Together

Hand and Finger Techniques

Both hands playing at the same time in either Primary or Early Elementary level works.

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Legato

Expression

A type of articulation indicating the player to play smoothly and seamlessly, with the notes slightly overlapped.

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Melodic 2nds

Intervals

Two notes played in succession, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 2nd of any quality.

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Melodic 3rds

Intervals

Two notes played in succession, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 3rd of any quality.

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Melody Between Hands

Texture

A simple melody line shared by both the right hand and the left hand.

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Octave Higher or Octave Lower

Notes and Notation

Symbols that indicate playing a note or range of notes either an octave higher or lower than notated.

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Piano

Expression

An indication instructing the player to play softly.

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Quarter Notes

Rhythm

Notes whose lengths are equal to one-fourth the value of a whole note.

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Sharp

Notes and Notation

A sign placed in front of a note that raises its pitch by a half step.

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Sustain Pedal

Expression

Also called the damper pedal, it is the rightmost pedal on the piano and used to sustain notes by moving the dampers away from the strings.

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Syncopation

Rhythm

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

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Thumbs Adjacent

Scales and Hand Positions

A simple five-finger hand position where the thumbs rest on adjacent notes.

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Ties

Rhythm

Symbols indicating that two notes are to be played as one with the value equal to their sum.

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Whole Notes

Rhythm

Notes whose lengths are four beats.

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It's a Brand-New Day!

Dennis Alexander
Martha Mier

Video

Elements

Blocked 3rds

Five Finger Scales

Flat

Forte

Half Notes

Hand Crossing

Hands Together

Legato

Melodic 2nds

Melodic 3rds

Melody Between Hands

Octave Higher or Octave Lower

Piano

Quarter Notes

Sharp

Sustain Pedal

Syncopation

Thumbs Adjacent

Ties

Whole Notes

Details