Piano Piano Technique & Performance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the dynamic marking 'forte' mean in piano music?
- Very soft
- Moderately soft
- Loud (Correct answer)
- Very loud
Correct answer: Loud
Forte, abbreviated 'f', means loud and comes from the Italian word for 'strong.'
Question 2: What piano technique involves rapidly alternating between two adjacent notes?
- Glissando
- Trill (Correct answer)
- Tremolo
- Arpeggio
Correct answer: Trill
A trill is the rapid alternation between a written note and the note a half or whole step above it.
Question 3: What is the correct bench height for proper piano posture?
- Elbows should be well below the keyboard level
- Elbows should be roughly level with the keys (Correct answer)
- Elbows should be well above the keyboard level
- Bench height does not affect technique
Correct answer: Elbows should be roughly level with the keys
The bench should be set so the elbows are roughly level with the keyboard, allowing the arms and shoulders to stay relaxed.
Question 4: What does the marking 'sforzando' (sfz) indicate in piano music?
- Gradually getting louder
- A sudden, strong accent on a single note (Correct answer)
- Play very softly
- Slow down gradually
Correct answer: A sudden, strong accent on a single note
Sforzando indicates a sudden, strong accent on a specific note or chord, regardless of the surrounding dynamic level.
Question 5: What does 'rubato' mean in piano performance?
- A strict, metronomic tempo
- A freely expressive flexibility in tempo (Correct answer)
- Playing louder than written
- A sudden pause before a phrase
Correct answer: A freely expressive flexibility in tempo
Rubato means 'robbed time' in Italian, allowing the performer to subtly speed up or slow down for expressive effect.
Question 6: What does 'pianissimo' indicate?
- Moderately loud
- Very loud
- Very soft (Correct answer)
- Moderately soft
Correct answer: Very soft
Pianissimo, abbreviated 'pp', means very soft and is one of the quietest standard dynamic markings.
Piano Piano Technique & Performance 2
What does the dynamic marking 'forte' mean in piano music?