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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. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






2. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






3. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






4. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






5. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






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






7. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






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






9. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






10. Repetition of a single tone.






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






12. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






13. The highest female voice.






14. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






15. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






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






17. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






18. A short or brief sonata.






19. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






20. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






21. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






22. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






23. Indicating speed.






24. The structure of a piece of music.






25. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






26. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






27. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






28. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






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






30. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






31. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






32. Sliding between two notes.






33. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






34. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






35. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






36. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






37. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






38. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






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






40. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






41. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






42. Lowest female singing voice.






43. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






44. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






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






46. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






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






48. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






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






50. A short light musical drama.