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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 tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






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






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






4. A reprise.






5. Sliding between two notes.






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






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






8. 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.






9. The structure of a piece of music.






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






11. 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.






12. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






13. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






14. A short piano piece - often improvisational and intimate in character.






15. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






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






17. The highest female voice.






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






19. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






20. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






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






22. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






23. Indicating speed.






24. Sliding between two notes.






25. 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.






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






27. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






28. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






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






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






31. A string of chords played in succession.






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






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






34. Closing section of a movement.






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






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






37. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






38. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






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






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






41. A group singing in unison.






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






43. 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.






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






45. Lowest female singing voice.






46. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






47. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






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






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






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