Test your basic knowledge |

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 person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






2. Repetition of a single tone.






3. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






4. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






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






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






7. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






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






9. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






10. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






11. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






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






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






14. Lowest female singing voice.






15. The structure of a piece of music.






16. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






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






18. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






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






20. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






21. A composition written for eight instruments.






22. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






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






24. A direction to play lively and fast.






25. 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.






26. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






27. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






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






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






30. Indicating speed.






31. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






32. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






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






34. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






35. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






36. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






37. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






38. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






39. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






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






41. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






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






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






44. 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.






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






46. Closing section of a movement.






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






48. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






49. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






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