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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 song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






2. A string of chords played in succession.






3. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






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






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






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






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






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. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






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






11. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






12. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






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






14. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






15. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






16. 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.






17. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






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






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






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






21. 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.






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






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






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






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. Suite of Baroque dances.






27. A short or brief sonata.






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






29. Repetition of a single tone.






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






31. A composition written for nine instruments.






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






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






34. A short light musical drama.






35. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






36. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






38. 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.






39. A repeated phrase.






40. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






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






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






43. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






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






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






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






47. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






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






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






50. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.