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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
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. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






2. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






3. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






4. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






5. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






6. A composition written for nine instruments.






7. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






8. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






9. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






10. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






11. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






12. A short light musical drama.






13. The distance in pitch between two notes.






14. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






15. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






16. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






17. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






18. A direction to play lively and fast.






19. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






20. A group singing in unison.






21. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






22. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






23. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






24. A symbol indicating to play loud.






25. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






26. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






27. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






28. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






29. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






30. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






31. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






32. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






33. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






34. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






35. Closing section of a movement.






36. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






37. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






38. A direction to play lively and fast.






39. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






40. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






41. The unit of musical rhythm.






42. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






43. Repetition of a single tone.






44. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






45. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






46. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






47. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






48. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






49. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






50. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.