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






2. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






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






4. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






5. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






6. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






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






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






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






10. 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.






11. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






12. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






13. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






15. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






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






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






18. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






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






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






21. 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.






22. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






23. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






24. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






25. The highest female voice.






26. Lowest female singing voice.






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






28. A composition written for eight instruments.






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






30. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






31. The distance in pitch between two notes.






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






33. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






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






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






36. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






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






38. The movement of chords in succession.






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






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






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






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






43. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






44. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






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






46. 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.






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






48. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






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






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