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






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






3. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






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






5. A short or brief sonata.






6. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






7. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






8. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






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






10. 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.






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






12. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






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






14. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






15. The highest female voice.






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






17. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






18. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






19. 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.






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






21. Suite of Baroque dances.






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






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






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






25. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






26. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






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






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






29. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






30. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






31. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






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






34. A repeated phrase.






35. A symbol indicating to play loud.






36. Lowest female singing voice.






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






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






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






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






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






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






43. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






44. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






45. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






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






47. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






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






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






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