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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 symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






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






3. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






4. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






5. Lowest female singing voice.






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






7. 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.






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






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






10. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






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






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






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






14. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






20. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






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






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






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






24. Repetition of a single tone.






25. A group singing in unison.






26. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






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






28. 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.






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






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






31. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






32. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






33. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






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






35. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






36. The first violin in an orchestra.






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






38. Lowest female singing voice.






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






46. 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.






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






48. 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.






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






50. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.