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






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






3. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






4. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






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






6. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






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






8. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






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






10. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






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






12. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






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






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






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






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






17. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






18. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






19. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






20. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






21. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






27. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






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






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






30. 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.






31. The principal note of a triad.






32. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






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






34. 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.






35. A symbol indicating to play loud.






36. Indicating speed.






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






38. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






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






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






41. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






42. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






43. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






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






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






46. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






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






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






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






50. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.