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. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






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






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






4. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






5. 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.






6. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






7. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






8. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






9. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






10. Repetition of a single tone.






11. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






12. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






13. Suite of Baroque dances.






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






15. 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.






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






17. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






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






19. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






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






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






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






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






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






25. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






26. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






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






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






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






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






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






32. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






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






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






35. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






36. A short light musical drama.






37. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






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






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






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






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






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






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






44. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






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






46. 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.






47. A string of chords played in succession.






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






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






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