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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 string of chords played in succession.






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






3. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






9. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






10. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






11. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






12. 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.






13. The structure of a piece of music.






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






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






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






17. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






18. Suite of Baroque dances.






19. 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.






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






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






22. Repetition of a single tone.






23. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






24. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






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






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






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






28. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






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






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






31. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






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






33. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






34. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






35. The highest female voice.






36. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






37. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






38. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






39. A reprise.






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






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






42. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






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






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






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






46. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






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






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






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






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