Why Learn Piano Vocabulary in English?
Whether you're studying music abroad, reading sheet music, or collaborating with international musicians, understanding piano terminology in English is essential.
Common Piano Terms in English
- Pianist – A person who plays the piano.
- Keyboard – The set of keys on a piano.
- Octave – A series of eight notes between one note and the next with the same name.
- Tempo – The speed at which a piece of music is played.
- Dynamics – The volume of the music (e.g., piano = soft, forte = loud).
- Pedal – A foot-operated lever that alters the sound (sustain, soft, sostenuto).
- Sheet music – Printed or written musical notation.
- Practice – To rehearse or train regularly to improve skill.
Useful Phrases for Pianists
- "I’ve been practicing Chopin’s Nocturne."
- "Could you play that passage more legato?"
- "The tempo marking is Allegro moderato."
- "I need to work on my finger technique."
- "Let’s go over the dynamics in this section."
Resources
For further study: