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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. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






2. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






3. 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.






4. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






5. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






6. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






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






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






9. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






10. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






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






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






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






14. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






15. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






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






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






18. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






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






20. Lowest female singing voice.






21. 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.






22. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






23. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






24. A direction to play lively and fast.






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






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






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






28. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






29. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






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






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






32. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






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






34. 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.






35. A repeated phrase.






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






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






38. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






39. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






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






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






42. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






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