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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 six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






2. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






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






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






5. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






6. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






7. A short piano piece - often improvisational and intimate in character.






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






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






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






11. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






12. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






13. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






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






15. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






16. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






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






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






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






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






21. A symbol indicating to play loud.






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






23. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






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






25. The structure of a piece of music.






26. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






27. 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.






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






29. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






30. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






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






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






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






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






35. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






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






37. 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.






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






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






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






41. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






42. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






43. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






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






45. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






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






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






48. A string of chords played in succession.






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






50. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.







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