The Taj Mahal 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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Accidentals

Intervals

Sharps, flats and naturals that do not appear in a key signature.

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Blocked 5ths

Intervals

Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 5th of any quality.

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Blocked Chords

Chords

Chord tones played together that are not part of an accompaniment pattern.

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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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Dotted Quarter Notes

Rhythm

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

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G Minor Five Finger Scale

Scales and Hand Positions

A simple scale that contains the first five notes of the G Minor scale.

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Melodic Octaves

Intervals

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

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Natural

Notes and Notation

A sign placed in front of a note that returns its pitch back to normal (returning to a white key).

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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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Ostinato

Accompaniment Patterns

A continually repeated phrase or rhythm.

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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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Pianissimo

Expression

An indication instructing the player to play very softly; softer than piano.

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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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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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The Taj Mahal

Dennis Alexander, Martha Mier

Video

Elements

8th Notes

8th Rests

Accidentals

Blocked 5ths

Blocked Chords

Crossing Over Thumb

Dotted Quarter Notes

G Minor Five Finger Scale

Melodic Octaves

Natural

Octave Higher or Octave Lower

Ostinato

Parallel 3rds

Pianissimo

Shifting Hand Positions

Sustain Pedal

Details