🎵 PART VII – PIANO SCHOOL VARIANTS & SYNONYMS
Understanding Twin Terms for Pianists & Teachers
Different piano schools (Russian, French, German, American) and methods (Suzuki, Faber, Alfred, Royal Conservatory, etc.) often use different words for the same musical ideas.
Remembering these “twin terms” helps students connect vocabulary from various teachers, exams, and textbooks — building confidence, fluency, and deeper understanding at the keyboard.
| Concept | Traditional / European | Suzuki Method | Faber / Alfred / Modern | Royal Conservatory (RCM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | Piano (p) | Quiet tone | Gentle sound | Soft (p) |
| Loud | Forte (f) | Strong tone | Full sound | Loud (f) |
| Gradually louder | Crescendo | Getting bigger | Louder | Crescendo |
| Gradually softer | Decrescendo / Diminuendo | Getting smaller | Softer | Diminuendo |
| Smooth and connected | Legato | Connected | Flowing | Legato |
| Short and detached | Staccato | Separate | Light touch | Staccato |
| Gradually faster | Accelerando | Speed up | Faster | Accelerando |
| Gradually slower | Ritardando / Rallentando | Slow down | Slower | Ritardando |
| Hold the note | Tenuto | Sustain | Press and hold | Tenuto |
| Return to normal speed | A Tempo | Back to tempo | Resume speed | A Tempo |
| Gradually slow and end | Ritenuto | Hold back | Pause finish | Ritenuto |
| With movement | Con moto | Moving tempo | Keep it going | Con moto |
| Walking pace | Andante | Medium speed | Steady tempo | Andante |
| Very fast | Presto | Fast | Quick tempo | Presto |
| Very slow | Largo / Lento | Slow | Calm tempo | Largo |
| Lively | Vivace / Allegro | Quick and bright | Cheerful | Allegro |
| Emphasize | Accent (>) | Strong touch | Highlight | Accent |
| Pause mark | Fermata | Hold longer | Bird’s eye | Fermata |
| Play together | Simultaneously | Same time | Together | Ensemble |
| Broken chord | Arpeggio | Ripple | Roll | Arpeggio |
| Whole step | Tone | Large step | Whole note distance | Tone |
| Half step | Semitone | Small step | Half note distance | Semitone |
| Natural sign | Cancel sharp/flat | Normal note | White key note | Natural |
| Key signature | Tonality | Key pattern | Scale family | Key signature |
| Repeat sign | Da capo / Dal segno | Go back | Repeat section | D.C. / D.S. |
| Ending mark | Fine | The end | Finish | Fine |
| Pedal | Sustain Pedal | Foot pedal | Damper pedal | Pedal |
| Phrase line | Slur | Singing line | Curve line | Slur |
| Hand position | Placement | Home base | 5-finger pattern | Hand position |
| Scale | Diatonic series | Tonal pattern | Pattern | Scale |
| Broken chord pattern | Alberti Bass | Rolling pattern | Left-hand pattern | Alberti bass |
🌟 Teaching Tip:
Encourage students to listen and feel the difference between similar terms — like ritardando vs rallentando, or crescendo vs diminuendo.
This builds expressive control and strengthens music reading in all traditions.
✨ Closing Note
For every pianist who listens, learns, and plays with heart.
💎 A Complete Piano Twin Terms Teaching Guide
Much Love,
🎹 Jacklyn Dougherty and Dr. Joni Dougherty, Ed.D
Visit JacklynDougherty.com for the complete guide to piano and ballet.
