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






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






3. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






4. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






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






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






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






8. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






9. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






10. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






11. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






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






13. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






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






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






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






17. Indicating speed.






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






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






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






21. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






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






24. The highest female voice.






25. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






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






27. Group of singers in a chorus.






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






29. The distance in pitch between two notes.






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






31. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






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






33. The unit of musical rhythm.






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






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






36. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






37. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






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






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






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






41. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






42. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






43. Closing section of a movement.






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






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






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






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






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






49. The first violin in an orchestra.






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