Reference · Solfeggio and music theory
A cadence is a harmonic pattern that closes a phrase or points it forward. Even a simple chord sequence can feel like a question and an answer.
The circle of fifths maps relationships between keys and the order in which sharps and flats appear. Neighboring positions are a fifth apart.
A diatonic interval is counted between scale degrees within a key. Its number comes from the number of letter names included.
Melodic dictation trains you to move a heard sequence into your voice, hand or notation. Start with short phrases in a familiar key.
A musical phrase resembles a meaningful sentence: it has motion, a high point and a place to pause. Several phrases can form a period.
A seventh chord adds another third above a triad. It therefore contains four different pitch classes rather than three.
Accidentals temporarily change a note. A sharp raises it by a half step, a flat lowers it by a half step, and a natural cancels an earlier alteration.
Legato, staccato and pedal change a phrase character. Secure clear rhythm without pedal before adding color.
A chord is a group of notes played together. An arpeggio spreads the same notes over time.
Short regular practice is more useful than rare long sessions. Split time between warm-up, reading and a difficult passage.
A dot adds half of the original duration to a note or rest. A dotted half note therefore lasts three quarter-note beats.
Ear training grows from simple to complex: pitch first, then direction, intervals and short rhythms.
When a note goes beyond the five staff lines, short ledger lines extend the same sequence of scale degrees above or below the staff.
Rhythmic dictation teaches durations and rests without relying on pitch. Start with one measure.
When sight-reading, do not stop at every mistake. Look slightly ahead and keep the pulse.
Solfeggio connects the visual note, its name and its sound. Say the degrees while playing slowly.
A staff has five horizontal lines and four spaces. The position of a notehead shows its pitch inside the chosen clef.
Syncopation places an accent or note onset on a weak beat or between beats. The rhythm feels intentionally displaced.
A half step is the closest distance between two neighboring piano keys. A whole step contains two half steps.
An arpeggio is not a trick but a way to see a chord in time. This deliberately large demonstration article combines theory, technique, ear training and keyboard practice. It is also a visual test of long scrolling, a complete table of contents, anchors, lists, warnings, quotations and tables.
An inversion keeps the same notes but changes the lowest note. This helps connect chords smoothly.
In an inversion, move the lower note up an octave or the upper note down. The interval numbers add up to nine.
First compare direction and distance instead of guessing the name instantly. Singing helps fix the sensation.
Sharps and flats after the clef apply through the piece and avoid repeating the same sign before every note.
The major scale follows a sequence of whole and half steps. C major is a convenient starting point on the keyboard.
Minor can change its sixth and seventh degrees depending on the musical purpose. Compare the forms by ear.
A rest has a duration just like a note. Count the silence or the next note will start too early.
A time signature tells us how to count a measure. In 4/4, four quarter notes fill one measure.
An interval is the distance between two notes. Count scale degrees inclusively: C–E is a third.
The top number shows the number of beats and the bottom number shows the beat unit. Say the meter aloud before playing.
A triad contains three notes stacked by thirds. Major and minor triads differ in the size of the inner third.
The clef at the start of a staff sets landmarks for every following note. Middle C connects both halves of the piano staff.
The grand staff joins treble and bass clefs. The upper staff is usually played by the right hand and the lower staff by the left hand.
Seven note names repeat across octaves. Use groups of two and three black keys to locate C quickly.
Try another query or choose a different section.
Clear filters