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






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






3. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






4. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






5. A composition written for nine instruments.






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






7. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






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






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






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






11. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






12. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






13. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






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






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






16. The unit of musical rhythm.






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






18. Unmusical - without tone.






19. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






20. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






21. The highest female voice.






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






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






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






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






26. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






27. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






28. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






29. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






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






31. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






32. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






33. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






34. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






36. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






37. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






38. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






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






40. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






41. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






47. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






48. A composition written for eight instruments.






49. 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.






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