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






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






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






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






5. 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.






6. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






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






8. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






9. The structure of a piece of music.






10. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






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






12. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






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






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






15. Lowest female singing voice.






16. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






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






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






19. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






20. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






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






22. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






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






24. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






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






26. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






27. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






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






29. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






30. 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.






31. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






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






33. 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.






34. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






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






36. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






37. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






38. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






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






40. Lowest female singing voice.






41. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






42. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






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






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






45. The first violin in an orchestra.






46. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






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






48. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






49. 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.






50. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.