arpeggio
Sequenced chord tones
An arpeggio is the notes of a chord played in succession rather than simultaneously, typically ascending or descending: She ran an arpeggio up the keyboard.
The technique appears across instruments and styles, from classical piano to jazz guitar.
Arpeggios create a rippling, harp-like effect—the word comes from Italian for "to play the harp."
Keyed percussion instrument
- guitarFretted stringed instrument
- lutePear-bodied fretted strings
- keyboardArray of input keys
- stringsThin flexible lines
synthesizer · clavichord · zither · kora · koto · balalaika
Notes sounded simultaneously
- triadGroup of three
- intervalDuration between two points
- octaveEight-note interval
- scaleMeasure of relative size
progression · resolution · cadence · motif · phrase · figure · slur · cadenza
Note-playing hand technique
- fingerstylePlucking strings directly
- hammer-onsFretted notes without plucking
- pull-offsRoadside parking areas
- tappingRepeated light striking
legato · staccato · pizzicato · glissando · tremolo · trills · ornamentation · dexterity
Gradual increase in loudness
- diminuendoGradual decrease in loudness
- rallentandoGradual tempo reduction
- accelerandoGradual tempo increase
- fermataSustained note symbol
legato · staccato · marcato · portamento · flowing · cascading · rippling · sweeping
piano
Keyed percussion instrument
strings · synthesizer · clavichord · zither · kora · koto · balalaika
chord
Notes sounded simultaneously
scale · progression · resolution · cadence · motif · phrase · figure · slur · cadenza · diminished
fingering
Note-playing hand technique
- fingerstylePlucking strings directly
- hammer-onsFretted notes without plucking
- pull-offsRoadside parking areas
tapping · legato · staccato · pizzicato · glissando · tremolo · trills · ornamentation · dexterity · precision
crescendo
Gradual increase in loudness
- diminuendoGradual decrease in loudness
- rallentandoGradual tempo reduction
- accelerandoGradual tempo increase
fermata · legato · staccato · marcato · portamento · flowing · cascading · rippling · sweeping · shimmering
concerto
Solo-and-orchestra composition
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- preludeIntroductory piece or event
- etudeInstrumental practice composition
nocturne · ballade · toccata · fantasia · invention · fugue · accompaniment · figuration · ostinato · baroque
- harmonyharmony, chord, chords, triad, triads
- classical music termspiano concerto, violin concerto, concerto, sonata, tone poem
- fingerstyle guitarfingerpicking, fingerstyle, thumbpick, fingerpicks, thumb picks
- classical musicBach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms
- music elementsmelody, harmony vocals, rhythm, beat, chord
- musical soundsnote, chord, tone, melody, beat
arpeggiolegato
Unbroken musical phrasing
scale · drone · melodic line · chromatic scale · held note
- scales and arpeggiosFoundational musical exercises