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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. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






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






3. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






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






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






6. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






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






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






9. The highest female voice.






10. A composition written for nine instruments.






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






12. A direction to play expressively.






13. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






14. Repetition of a single tone.






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






16. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






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






18. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






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






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






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






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






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






24. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






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






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






27. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






28. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






29. A composition written for eight instruments.






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






31. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






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






33. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






34. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






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






36. 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.






37. The highest female voice.






38. The movement of chords in succession.






39. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






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






41. Group of singers in a chorus.






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






43. The principal note of a triad.






44. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






45. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






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






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






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






49. A group singing in unison.






50. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.