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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 short light musical drama.






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






3. The unit of musical rhythm.






4. The structure of a piece of music.






5. A symbol indicating to play loud.






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






7. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






9. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






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






11. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






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






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






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






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






16. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






17. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






18. A composition written for eight instruments.






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






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






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






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






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






24. 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.






25. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






26. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






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






28. The first violin in an orchestra.






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






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






31. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






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






33. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






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






35. A string of chords played in succession.






36. A direction to play lively and fast.






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






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






39. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






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






41. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






42. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






43. 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.






44. A direction to play lively and fast.






45. A string of chords played in succession.






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






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






48. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






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






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