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






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






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






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






5. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






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






7. A direction to play lively and fast.






8. 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.






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






10. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






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






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






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






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






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






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






17. A direction to play lively and fast.






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






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






20. A short or brief sonata.






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






22. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






23. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






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






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






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






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






28. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






29. 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.






30. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






31. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






39. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






40. 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.






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






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






43. A symbol indicating to play loud.






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






45. 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.






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






47. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






48. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






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






50. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.