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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 style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






2. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






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






4. A short light musical drama.






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






6. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






7. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






8. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






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






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






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






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






13. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






14. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






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






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






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






18. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






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






20. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






21. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






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






23. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






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






25. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






26. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






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






28. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






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






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






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






32. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






33. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






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






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






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






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






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






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






40. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






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






42. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






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






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






45. 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.






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






47. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






48. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






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






50. Unmusical - without tone.