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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. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






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






3. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






4. A direction to play lively and fast.






5. The principal note of a triad.






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






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






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






9. A composition written for eight instruments.






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






11. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






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






13. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






14. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






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






16. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






17. A composition written for nine instruments.






18. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






19. To shift to another key.






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






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






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






23. A string of chords played in succession.






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






25. 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.






26. A direction to play expressively.






27. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






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






29. Indicating speed.






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






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






32. A short light musical drama.






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






34. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






35. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






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






37. 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.






38. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






39. A composition written for nine instruments.






40. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






41. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






42. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






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






44. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






45. 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.






46. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






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






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






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