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Test your basic knowledge |
Music Appreciation
Start Test
Study First
Subjects
:
performing-arts
,
music
Instructions:
Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can
study here
.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.
This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Co-founded in 1984 by the hip-hop promoter Russell Simmons and the musician-producer Rick Rubin. During the 1980s - Def Jam cross-promoted a new generation of artists - expanding and diversifying the national audience for hip-hop - and in 1986 became
Def Jam
soft soul
alternative music
house music
2. Country music style involving polished arrangements and a sophisticated approach to vocal presentation. The recordings of Patsy Cline were among the most important manifestations of the Nashville sound.
art rock
Def Jam
nashville sound
The Ramones
3. Upbeat variety of rock music represented by artists such as Elton John - Paul McCartney - Rod Stewart - Chicago - and Peter Frampton.
pop rock
sequencer
Sean 'Puffy' Combs
MP3
4. Device that records musical data rather than musical sound and enables the creation of repeated sound sequences (loops) - the manipulation of rhythmic grooves - and the transmission of recorded data from one program or device to another.
urban folk
Donna Summer
sequencer
The Sex Pistols
5. The first punk rock band. Formed in 1974 in New York City - the Ramones' high-speed - energetic - and extremely loud sound influenced English punk groups such as the Sex Pistols and the Clash and also became a blueprint for 1980s L.A. hardcore bands.
breakdancing
Vanilla Ice
The Ramones
breakdancing
6. Slick variety of rhythm & blues - often with lush orchestral accompaniment: the O'Jays - the Spinners - Al Green - Barry White.
Madonna
Nirvana
soft soul
urban folk
7. DJ and leader of the furious five - he developed many of the turntable techniques that characterized early hip-hop music.
Patsy Cline
The Ramones
Grandmaster Flash
Willie Nelson
8. Trio consisting of the MCs Run (Joseph Simmons - b. 1964) and D.M.C. (Darryl McDaniels - b. 1964) - and the DJ Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell - b. 1965). Perhaps the most influential act in the history of rap music - they established a hard-edged - roc
Dolly Parton
art rock
nashville sound
Run-D.M.C.
9. Springsteen's music and personal image evoked the rebellious rock 'n' rollers of the 1950s and the socially conscious folk rockers of the 1960s. His songs reflected his working-class origins and sympathies.
Bruce Springsteen
Carole King
Bob Marley
Queen Latifah
10. Singer-songwriter Who wrote many hits in the 1960s with Gerry Goffin. In 1971 - the success of her album Tapestry made her a major recording star.
rap
pop rock
world music
Carole King
11. Device that records musical data rather than musical sound and enables the creation of repeated sound sequences (loops) - the manipulation of rhythmic grooves - and the transmission of recorded data from one program or device to another.
sequencer
disco
hardcore
funk music
12. The 'Godfather of Soul.' He was known for his acrobatic physicality and remarkable charisma on stage. No other single musician has proven to be as influential on the sound and style of black music as James Brown.
alternative rock
Grandmaster Flash
grunge rock
James Brown
13. Form of rock music that blended elements of rock and European classical music. It included bands such as King Crimson; Emerson - Lake - and Palmer; and Pink Floyd.
RIAA
art rock
soul music
Madonna
14. The most outrageous—and therefore famous—punk band - formed in 1975 in London. They were the creation of Malcolm McAllen - owner of a London boutique called Sex - which specialized in leather and rubber clothing.
analog recording
Willie Nelson
The Sex Pistols
rap
15. 'The Queen of Soul -' she began singing gospel music at an early age and had several hit records with Atlantic - including 'Respect' in 1967 and 'Think' in 1968.
techno
Aretha Franklin
Peter Gabriel
world music
16. Born in Mexico - he began his musical career playing guitar in Tijuana. He formed his band in San Francisco in the late 1960s. Their 1971 album Abraxas established a Latin American substream within rock.
soft soul
countrypolitan
countrypolitan
Carlos Santana
17. African American musical style rooted in R&B and gospel that became popular during the 1960s.
progressive country
MP3
grunge rock
soul music
18. One of the main venues for techno. Semipublic event modeled partly on the be-ins of the 1960s counterculture.
MP3
Snoop Doggy Dogg (Calvin Broadus)
Clear channel
rave
19. One of the biggest stars to emerge from disco in the 1970s. She sang on several disco classics - including 'Love to Love You Baby' (1976) and 'Good Times' (1979).
Donna Summer
Michael Jackson
Def Jam
Peter Gabriel
20. Prince is one of the most talented musicians ever to achieve mass commercial success in the field of popular music. He has sold almost forty million recordings. Between 1982 and 1992 - he placed nine albums in the Top 10 - reaching the top of the cha
Prince
Bruce Springsteen
Clear channel
RIAA
21. Device that enables musicians to create or 'synthesize' musical sounds. Began to appear on rock records during the early 1970s.
heavy metal
synthesizer
soft soul
MP3
22. The leader of the Wailers and a national hero in his native Jamaica - Marley was reggae's most effective international ambassador. His songs of determination - rebellion - and faith - rooted in the Rastafarian belief system - found a worldwide audien
Patsy Cline
Bob Marley
Beastie Boys
country pop
23. The first commercially successful white act in hip-hop. Their early recordings represent a fusion of the youth-oriented rebelliousness of hardcore punk rock—the style they began playing in 1981—with the sensibility and techniques of hip-hop.
Dolly Parton
Beastie Boys
country pop
Grateful Dead
24. Pioneered West Coast gangsta rap with the release of the album Straight Outta Compton. Their recordings expressed the gangsta lifestyle - saturated with images of sex and violence. The nucleus of the group was formed in 1986 - when O'Shea ;Ice C
N.W.A.
Janis Joplin
David Bowie
Madonna
25. In progressive country - performers wrote songs that were more intellectual and liberal in outlook than their contemporaries and were more concerned with testing the limits of the country music tradition than with scoring hits. The key artists includ
Snoop Doggy Dogg (Calvin Broadus)
progressive country
house music
Sonic Youth
26. Rock style that emerged in the late 1970s. It was a 'back to basics' rebellion against the perceived artifice and pretension of corporate rock music—a stripped-down and often purposefully 'nonmusical' version of rock music.
Carole King
punk rock
RIAA
Prince
27. Style modeled on that of the early acoustic string bands; probably the original 'alternative country' music.
progressive country
bluegrass
funk music
Carlos Santana
28. Variant of MPEG; MP3 enables sound files to be compressed to as little as one-twelfth of their original size.
M.C. Hammer
country pop
Aretha Franklin
MP3
29. Achieved celebrity as a member of the art rock group Genesis before embarking on a solo career. Gabriel's best-selling single 'Sledgehammer' became Number One pop and Number Sixty-one R&B in 1986. The award-winning video version of 'Sledgehammer' was
M.C. Hammer
art rock
Beastie Boys
Peter Gabriel
30. Variant of hip-hop music; its emergence was heralded nationwide by the release of the album Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A. (Niggaz with Attitude). It included artists such as Snoop Doggy Dogg - 2Pac Shakur - and the Notorious B.I.G.
Def Jam
Clear channel
Michael Jackson
gangsta rap
31. A style of soft rock - lightly tinged with country music influences: John Denver - Olivia Newton-John - Kenny Rogers.
sampling
soul music
Bob Marley
country pop
32. Parton was born in the hill country of Tennessee and began her recording career at age eleven. She moved to Nashville in 1964 and built her career with regular appearances on country music radio and television.
Led Zeppelin
Dolly Parton
bluegrass
Aretha Franklin
33. Known as the 'Genius of Soul'; songwriter - arranger - keyboard player - and vocalist fluent in R&B - jazz - and mainstream pop.
Grandmaster Flash
Ray Charles
Bob Marley
rap
34. From the late 1980s through the 1990s - Madonna's popularity was second only to Michael Jackson's. She created controversial songs and music videos - including 'Papa Don't Preach' (1986) - 'Express Yourself' (1989) - and 'Like a Prayer' (1989).
Jimi Hendrix
Donna Summer
Kurt Cobain
Madonna
35. Began his performing career as a member of the Jackson Five. He achieved unprecedented success with his 1982 album Thriller - and his elaborately produced music videos helped boost the new medium of music videos. Jackson became the first African Amer
Michael Jackson
Led Zeppelin
Kenny Rogers
Lauryn Hill
36. Hip-hop artist whose work is a self-conscious alternative to the violence and sexism in the work of rap stars such as Dr. Dre - the Notorious B.I.G. - and 2Pac Shakur. Her commitment to female empowerment builds on the ground-breaking example of Quee
Lauryn Hill
psychedelic rock
urban folk
techno
37. -one of the forerunners of the Grunge genre - originally part of the 'no wave' scene in NY -Many alternative bands such as Nirvana looked up to them -album 'Daydream Nation' was well-received by critics - and then they were signed to Geffen Records -
Kurt Cobain
Sonic Youth
hardcore
Snoop Doggy Dogg (Calvin Broadus)
38. British hard rock band that formed in London in 1968. Zeppelin's sledgehammer style of guitar-focused rock music drew on various influences - including urban blues - San Francisco psychedelia - and the virtuoso guitar playing of Jimi Hendrix.
funk music
Nirvana
Led Zeppelin
Paul Simon
39. The term 'alternative'—like the broadly equivalent terms 'underground' and 'independent'—is used across a wide range of popular genres - including rock - rap - adult contemporary - dance - folk - and country music. It is used to describe music that c
Lauryn Hill
alternative music
Snoop Doggy Dogg (Calvin Broadus)
Willie Nelson
40. Born in Texas - Nelson was one of the most influential figures in the progressive country movement. Nelson's rise to national fame came in the mid-1970s - through his association with a group of musicians collectively known as 'the Outlaws.'
Willie Nelson
Public Enemy
bluegrass
James Brown
41. Band that originated in the 1960s San Francisco rock scene. Their career spanned more than three decades.
techno
Led Zeppelin
N.W.A.
Grateful Dead
42. One of the biggest stars to emerge from disco in the 1970s. She sang on several disco classics - including 'Love to Love You Baby' (1976) and 'Good Times' (1979).
Clear channel
Def Jam
Donna Summer
psychedelic rock
43. Country music style involving polished arrangements and a sophisticated approach to vocal presentation. The recordings of Patsy Cline were among the most important manifestations of the Nashville sound.
Dolly Parton
soft soul
nashville sound
Janis Joplin
44. Country vocalist who scored crossover hits with songs such as 'I Fall to Pieces -' and 'Crazy -' both recorded in 1961.
Patsy Cline
Aretha Franklin
synthesizer
Willie Nelson
45. Trio consisting of the MCs Run (Joseph Simmons - b. 1964) and D.M.C. (Darryl McDaniels - b. 1964) - and the DJ Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell - b. 1965). Perhaps the most influential act in the history of rap music - they established a hard-edged - roc
sequencer
M.C. Hammer
Grandmaster Flash
Run-D.M.C.
46. Ice's first album - To the Extreme (1990) - monopolized the Number One position for sixteen weeks in early 1991 - selling seven million copies. When it was discovered that Van Winkle - raised in reasonably comfortable circumstances in a middle-class
MIDI
Vanilla Ice
RIAA
Beastie Boys
47. A digital recording process wherein a sound source is recorded with a microphone - converted to a digital stream of binary numbers - and stored in a computer. The sampled sounds may be retrieved in a number of ways.
sampling
funk music
synthesizer
Grandmaster Flash
48. 'The Queen of Soul -' she began singing gospel music at an early age and had several hit records with Atlantic - including 'Respect' in 1967 and 'Think' in 1968.
synthesizer
Madonna
bluegrass
Aretha Franklin
49. Parton was born in the hill country of Tennessee and began her recording career at age eleven. She moved to Nashville in 1964 and built her career with regular appearances on country music radio and television.
Dolly Parton
art rock
MIDI
Public Enemy
50. Style of folk music that grew in popularity in the burgeoning New York folk scene during the 1960s. It included artists such as Bob Dylan.
techno
Donna Summer
Grandmaster Flash
urban folk