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






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






3. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






4. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






5. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






6. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






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






8. A symbol indicating to play loud.






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






10. Pertains to tone or tones.






11. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






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






13. 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.






14. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






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






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






17. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






18. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






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






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






21. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






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






23. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






25. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






26. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






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






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






29. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






30. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






31. A short light musical drama.






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






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






34. Unmusical - without tone.






35. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






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






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






38. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






39. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






40. A string of chords played in succession.






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






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






43. Group of singers in a chorus.






44. A string of chords played in succession.






45. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






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






47. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






48. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






49. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






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