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






2. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






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






4. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






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






6. Sliding between two notes.






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






8. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






9. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






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






11. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






12. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






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






14. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






15. A reprise.






16. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






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






18. A symbol indicating to play loud.






19. Group of singers in a chorus.






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






21. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






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






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






24. Sliding between two notes.






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






26. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






27. 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.






28. To shift to another key.






29. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






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






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






32. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






33. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






34. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






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






36. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






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






38. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






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






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






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






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






50. A separate section of a larger composition.