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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 hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






2. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






3. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






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






5. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






6. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






7. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






8. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






9. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






10. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






11. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






12. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






13. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






14. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






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






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






17. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






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






19. Suite of Baroque dances.






20. The movement of chords in succession.






21. Closing section of a movement.






22. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






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






24. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






25. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






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






27. A direction to play expressively.






28. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






29. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






30. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






31. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






32. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






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






34. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






35. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






36. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






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






38. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






39. A composition written for nine instruments.






40. Lowest female singing voice.






41. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






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






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






44. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






45. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






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






47. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






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






49. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






50. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.