Test your basic knowledge |

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. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






2. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






3. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






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






5. Lowest female singing voice.






6. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






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






8. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






9. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






10. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






11. The unit of musical rhythm.






12. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






13. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






14. 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.






15. A reprise.






16. Pertains to tone or tones.






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






18. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






19. 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.






20. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






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






22. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






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






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






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






26. Repetition of a single tone.






27. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






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






29. Indicating speed.






30. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






31. 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.






32. The highest female voice.






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






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






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






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






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






38. 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.






39. 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.






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






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






42. Repetition of a single tone.






43. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






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






45. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






46. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






47. A short light musical drama.






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






49. A short light musical drama.






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