Swingin' the Blues

Chord Inversions

Chords

Chords with alternate ordering of their tones where the root is placed either in the middle or at the top of the chord.

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Dotted Quarter Notes

Rhythm

Quarter notes whose lengths are increased by half; equal to three 8th notes.

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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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Ledger Lines

Notes and Notation

Additional lines added above or below the staff in order to place very high or very low notes that wouldn't normally fit on the staff.

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Parallel 3rds

Intervals

A series of any amount or quality of blocked 3rd intervals that are played in one hand, and where both notes move up or down in parallel motion.

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Primary Chords

Chords

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Ritardando

Meter

An Italian term meaning "delaying"; an indication instructing the player to decrease speed, often gradually.

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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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Swing 8ths

Rhythm

A technique of playing 8th notes where the first 8th note is held longer than the second of a grouping of two; used often in jazz and blues.

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