Here are some basic terminologies commonly used in piano lessons:
1. Keyboard/Piano: The instrument itself, consisting of keys arranged in a specific pattern.
2. Keys: The individual white and black surfaces on the keyboard that are pressed to produce musical notes.
3. Note: A symbol representing a musical sound. Notes are represented by letters (A, B, C, etc.) and can also include sharp (#) and flat (b) symbols to indicate alterations in pitch.
4. Octave: A musical interval spanning eight notes. For example, C to the next higher C is an octave.
5. Scale: A series of notes arranged in ascending or descending order, typically following a specific pattern of whole tones and semi-tones.
6. Chord: A group of three or more notes played simultaneously, often forming the harmonic foundation of a piece of music.
7. Arpeggio: A broken chord where the notes are played individually in sequence rather than simultaneously.
8. Fingering: The specific sequence of fingers used to play notes or passages on the piano. Proper fingering is essential for efficiency and fluidity in playing.
9. Tempo: The speed at which a piece of music is played, typically indicated by Italian terms such as "adagio" (slow), "andante" (moderate), or "allegro" (fast).
10. Rhythm: The pattern of beats and durations in music. Rhythm is indicated by note values (whole note, half note, quarter note, etc.) and rests.
11. Time Signature: A numerical symbol indicating the number of beats in each measure and the type of note that receives one beat. Common time signatures include 4/4 (four beats per measure) and 3/4 (three beats per measure).
12. Dynamics: The varying levels of loudness and softness in music. Dynamic markings, such as "piano" (soft) and "forte" (loud), indicate the desired volume level.
13. Legato: A smooth and connected style of playing where notes are held for their full duration and seamlessly transition from one to the next.
14. Staccato: A short and detached style of playing where notes are played with brief silences between them.
15. Pedal: The foot-operated pedal(s) on the piano used to sustain or modify the sound by allowing the strings to vibrate freely or dampening their vibration.