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






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






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






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






5. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






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






7. The structure of a piece of music.






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






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






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






11. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






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






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






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






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






16. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






17. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






18. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






19. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






20. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






21. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






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






23. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






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






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






26. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






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






28. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






29. Unmusical - without tone.






30. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






31. Pertains to tone or tones.






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






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






34. To shift to another key.






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






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






37. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






38. Suite of Baroque dances.






39. A direction to play lively and fast.






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






41. Group of singers in a chorus.






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






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






44. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






45. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






46. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






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






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






49. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






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