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






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






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






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






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






6. 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.






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






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






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






10. The distance in pitch between two notes.






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






12. The structure of a piece of music.






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






14. Unmusical - without tone.






15. A composition written for nine instruments.






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






17. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






18. 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.






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






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






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






22. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






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






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






25. A short or brief sonata.






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






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






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






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






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






31. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






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






33. A reprise.






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






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






36. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






37. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






38. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






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






40. Indicating speed.






41. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






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






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






44. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






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






46. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






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






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






49. A repeated phrase.






50. 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.







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