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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. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






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






3. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






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






5. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






6. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






8. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






9. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






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






11. The principal note of a triad.






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






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






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






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






16. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






17. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






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






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






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






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






22. A composition written for eight instruments.






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






24. Pertains to tone or tones.






25. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






26. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






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






28. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






29. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






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






31. A repeated phrase.






32. The highest female voice.






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






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






35. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






36. A short light musical drama.






37. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






38. The structure of a piece of music.






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






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






41. 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.






42. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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