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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 direction to play expressively.






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






3. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






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






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






6. 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.






7. To shift to another key.






8. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






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






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






11. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






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






13. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






15. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






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






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






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






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






20. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






21. 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.






22. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






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






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






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






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






27. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






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






29. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






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






31. 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.






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






33. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






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






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






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






37. The principal note of a triad.






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






39. Suite of Baroque dances.






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






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






42. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






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






44. A symbol indicating to play loud.






45. Closing section of a movement.






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






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






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






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






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