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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 symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






2. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






3. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






4. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






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






6. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






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






8. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






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






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






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






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






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






14. A symbol indicating to play loud.






15. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






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






17. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






18. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






19. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






20. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






21. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






22. Suite of Baroque dances.






23. 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.






24. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






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






26. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






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






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






29. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






30. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






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






32. To shift to another key.






33. Pertains to tone or tones.






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






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






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






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






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






39. Repetition of a single tone.






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






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






42. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






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






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






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






46. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






47. A direction to play expressively.






48. A group singing in unison.






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






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