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






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






3. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






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






5. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






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






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






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






9. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






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






11. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






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






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






14. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






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






16. 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.






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






18. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






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






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






21. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






23. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






24. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






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






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






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






28. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






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






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






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






32. 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.






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






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






35. Lowest female singing voice.






36. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






37. Group of singers in a chorus.






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






39. The structure of a piece of music.






40. Unmusical - without tone.






41. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






42. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






43. The principal note of a triad.






44. A reprise.






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






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






47. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






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






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






50. The movement of chords in succession.