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






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






3. The unit of musical rhythm.






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






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






6. The first violin in an orchestra.






7. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






8. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






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






10. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






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






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






13. A composition written for nine instruments.






14. A repeated phrase.






15. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






16. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






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






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






19. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






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






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






22. The unit of musical rhythm.






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






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






25. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






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






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






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






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






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






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






32. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






33. A composition written for eight instruments.






34. 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.






35. A short or brief sonata.






36. Closing section of a movement.






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






38. A direction to play lively and fast.






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






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






41. 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.






42. The distance in pitch between two notes.






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






44. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






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






46. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






47. Sliding between two notes.






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






49. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






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