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






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






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






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






5. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






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






7. A short or brief sonata.






8. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






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






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






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






12. The movement of chords in succession.






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






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






15. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






16. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






17. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






18. A short or brief sonata.






19. 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.






20. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






21. The highest female voice.






22. 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.






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






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






25. 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.






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






27. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






28. 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.






29. A short piano piece - often improvisational and intimate in character.






30. 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.






31. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






32. Lowest female singing voice.






33. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






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






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






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






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






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






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






40. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






41. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






42. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






43. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






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






45. The principal note of a triad.






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






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






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






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






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