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






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






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






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






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






6. Lowest female singing voice.






7. A string of chords played in succession.






8. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






9. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






10. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






11. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






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






13. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






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






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






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






17. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






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






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






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






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






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






23. 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.






24. A composition written for nine instruments.






25. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






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






27. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






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






29. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






30. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






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






32. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






33. 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.






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






35. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






36. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






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






38. A direction to play lively and fast.






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






40. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






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






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






43. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






44. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






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






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






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






48. The principal note of a triad.






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






50. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.