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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. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






2. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






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






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






5. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






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






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






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






9. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






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






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






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






13. The unit of musical rhythm.






14. The structure of a piece of music.






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






16. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






17. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






18. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






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






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






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






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






23. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






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






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






26. Unmusical - without tone.






27. To shift to another key.






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






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






30. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






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






32. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






33. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






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






35. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






36. A string of chords played in succession.






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






38. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






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






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






41. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






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






43. The distance in pitch between two notes.






44. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






45. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






46. 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.






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






48. The movement of chords in succession.






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






50. 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.