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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 person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






2. The highest female voice.






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






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






5. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






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






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






8. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






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






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






11. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






12. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






13. 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.






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






15. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






16. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






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






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






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






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






21. Sliding between two notes.






22. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






23. Unmusical - without tone.






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






25. Suite of Baroque dances.






26. A string of chords played in succession.






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






28. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






29. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






30. A composition written for eight instruments.






31. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






32. A string of chords played in succession.






33. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






34. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






35. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






36. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






37. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






38. The movement of chords in succession.






39. The distance in pitch between two notes.






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






41. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






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






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






44. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






45. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






46. A group singing in unison.






47. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






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






49. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






50. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.