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






2. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






3. The first violin in an orchestra.






4. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






5. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






6. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






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






8. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






9. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






10. The distance in pitch between two notes.






11. Repetition of a single tone.






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






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






14. Pertains to tone or tones.






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






16. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






18. Indicating speed.






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






20. Closing section of a movement.






21. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






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






23. To shift to another key.






24. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






25. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






26. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






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






28. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






29. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






30. A direction to play expressively.






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






32. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






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






34. A reprise.






35. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






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






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






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






39. Unmusical - without tone.






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






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






42. 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.






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






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






45. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






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






47. 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.






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






49. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






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