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






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






4. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






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






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






7. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






8. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






9. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






10. Repetition of a single tone.






11. Closing section of a movement.






12. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






13. Lowest female singing voice.






14. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






15. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






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






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






18. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






19. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






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






21. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






22. The principal note of a triad.






23. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






24. 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.






25. A short or brief sonata.






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






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






28. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






29. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






30. A composition written for eight instruments.






31. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






32. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






33. Sliding between two notes.






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






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






36. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






37. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






38. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






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






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






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






42. 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.






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






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






45. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






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






47. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






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






49. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






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