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






2. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






3. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






4. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






5. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






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






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






8. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






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






10. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






11. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






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






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






14. A direction to play expressively.






15. 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.






16. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






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






18. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






19. The structure of a piece of music.






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






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






22. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






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






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






25. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






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






27. Indicating speed.






28. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






29. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






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






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






32. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






33. Closing section of a movement.






34. 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.






35. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






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






37. 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.






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






39. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






40. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






41. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






42. Group of singers in a chorus.






43. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






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






45. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






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






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






48. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






49. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






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