Accidental - a sign used to show a temporary change in the pitch of a note (i.e., sharp #, flat b, double sharp !, double flat bb, or natural @). The sharps or flats in a key signature are not regarded as accidentals.
Ad lib - to be played at the performer’s discretion.
Allegretto - moderately fast.
Allegro - fast and lively.
Andante - an easy walking pace.
Arpeggio - the playing of a chord in consecutive single notes.
Bar - a section of music occurring between two bar lines (also called a "measure").
Bar line - a vertical line drawn across the staff dividing the music into equal sections called bars.
Bass - the lower regions of pitch in general.
Chord - a combination of three or more different notes played together.
Chord progression - a series of chords played as a musical unit (e.g., in a song).
Clef - a sign placed at the beginning of each staff of music which fixes the location of a particular note on the staff, and hence the location of all other notes.
Coda - an ending section of music, signified by the sign v.
Common time - an indication of * time - four quarter note beats per bar (also indicated by Q).
D.C. al fine - repeat from the beginning to the word "fine".
Dynamics - the varying degrees of volume, e.g., softness (indicated by the term "piano") and loudness (indicated by the term "forte") in music.
Eighth note - a note with the value of half a beat in * time, indicated thus 5 (also called a quaver).
Eighth rest - indicating half a beat of silence is written: j
Enharmonic - describes the difference in notation, but not in pitch, of two notes.
Fermata - a sign,?, used to indicate that a note or chord is held to the player’s own discretion (also called a "pause sign").
Flat - a sign, (b) used to lower the pitch of a note by one semitone.
Forte - loud, indicated by the sign f .
Half note - a note with the value of two beats in * time, indicated thus: 1 (also called a minim).
Half rest - indicating two beats of silence, is written: g on the third staff line.
Harmony - the simultaneous sounding of two or more different notes.
Interval - the distance between any two notes of different pitch.
Key - describes the notes used in a composition in regards to the major or minor scale from which they are taken; e.g., a piece "in the key of C major" describes the melody, chords, etc., as predominantly consisting of the notes, C, D, E, F, G, A and B i.e., from the C scale.
Key signature - a sign, placed at the beginning of each staff of music, directly after the clef, to indicate the key of a piece. The sign consists of a certain number of sharps or flats, which represent the sharps or flats found in the scale of the piece’s key.
Ledger lines - small horizontal lines upon which notes are written when their pitch is either above or below the range of the staff.
Legato - smoothly, well connected.
Lick - a short musical phrase.
Major scale - a series of eight notes in alphabetical order based on the interval sequence tone tone - semitone - tone - tone - tone - semitone, giving the familiar sound do re mi fa so la ti do.
Metronome - a device which indicates the number of beats per minute, and which can be adjusted to any desired tempo.
Moderato - at a moderate speed.
Natural - a sign (@) used to cancel out the effect of a sharp or flat. The word is also used to describe the notes A, B, C, D, E, F and G; e.g., the natural notes.
Note - a single sound with a given pitch and duration.
Octave - the distance between any given note with a set frequency, and another note with exactly double that frequency. Both notes will have the same letter name.
Open voicing - a chord that has the notes spread out between both hands on the keyboard.
Pitch - the sound produced by a note, determined by the frequency of vibrations. The pitch relates to a note being referred to as "high" or "low".
Plectrum - a small object (often of a triangular shape) made of plastic which is used to pick or strum the strings of a guitar, bass, mandolin or banjo.
Quarter note - a note with the value of one beat in * time, indicated thus 3 (also called a crotchet)
Quarter rest - h indicating one beat of silence.
Repeat signs - used to indicate a repeat of a section of music, by means of two dots placed before a double bar line.
Rhythm - the aspect of music concerned with duration and accent of notes.
Riff - a repeating pattern which may be altered to fit chord changes.
Semitone - the smallest interval used in conventional music.
Root note - the note after which a chord or scale is named (also called "key note").
Sharp - a sign (#) used to raise the pitch of a note by one semitone.
Staccato - to play short and detached, indicated by a dot placed above the note.
Staff - five parallel lines together with four spaces, upon which music is written.
Syncopation - the placing of an accent on a normally unaccented beat.
Tempo - the speed of a piece.
Tie - a curved line joining two or more notes of the same pitch, where the second note(s) is not played, but its time value is added to that of the first note.
Timbre - a quality which distinguishes a note produced on one instrument from the same note produced on any other instrument (also called "tone color"). A given note on the guitar will sound different (and therefore distinguishable) from the same note on piano, violin, flute etc. There is usually also a difference in timbre between two instruments of the same type (e.g., two pianos).
Time signature - a sign at the beginning of a piece which indicates, by means of figures, the number of beats per bar (top figure), and the type of note receiving one beat (bottom figure).
Tone - a distance of two semitones.
Transposition - the process of changing a piece of music from one key to another.
Treble - the upper regions of pitch in general.
Treble clef - a sign placed at the beginning of the staff to fix the pitch of the notes placed on it. The treble clef (also called "G clef") is placed so that the second line indicates a G note.
Progressive Clarinet
for Beginner to Intermediate
A great introduction to the fundamentals of Clarinet playing and understanding music. All examples sound great and are fun to play. Covers a variety of styles including Classical, Jazz, Blues, Pop and Rock, along with an introduction to improvising.
Progressive Saxophone
for Beginner to Intermediate
A great saxophone method for the beginner with no previous musical experience. Begins with how to assemble the saxophone along with tips on buying a good saxophone and how to choose the right reeds. Introduces breathing technique, note reading and essential musical techniques. Also covers using the octave key, transposing and the basics of improvisation. Anyone who completes this book will have a solid foundation in the lower and middle registers of the saxophone and will be ready for further study on specific styles of saxophone playing.
Progressive Trumpet
for Beginner to Intermediate
A great introduction to the fundamentals of Trumpet playing and understanding music. All examples sound great and are fun to play. Covers a variety of styles including Rock, Jazz, Pop, Classical, and Blues, along with an introduction to improvising.
Progressive Rock Saxophone Method
for Beginner to Advanced Students
Specifically designed for students wishing to play Rock sax, either in a group or solo for fun. The emphasis is on making music immediately. Covers a variety of sounds, rhythms and techniques essential to Rock playing. Also contains lessons on transposing, playing in all keys and improvisation. Anyone who completes this book will be well on the way to becoming an excellent Rock sax player.
Progressive Electric Guitar
for Beginner to Intermediate
An innovative approach to learning the electric guitar which incorporates the volume and tone controls, the pickup selector switch, effects and amplifier settings into learning music from the very beginning. Explains and demonstrates all the essential chords, scales, rhythms and expressive techniques such as slides, bends, trills and vibrato. Also covers music theory as it relates to the guitar. This book will have the student ready to play in a band in next to no time.
