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






2. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






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






4. The distance in pitch between two notes.






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






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






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






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






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






10. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






11. Lowest female singing voice.






12. A direction to play expressively.






13. 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.






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






15. The movement of chords in succession.






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






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






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






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






20. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






21. Suite of Baroque dances.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






31. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






32. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






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






34. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






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






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






37. A short light musical drama.






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






39. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






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






41. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






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






43. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






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






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






46. A symbol indicating to play loud.






47. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






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






49. Indicating speed.






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