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






2. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






3. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






4. 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.






5. The highest female voice.






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






7. 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.






8. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






9. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






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






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






12. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






13. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






14. A short or brief sonata.






15. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






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






17. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






18. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






19. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






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






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






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






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






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






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






26. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






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






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






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






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






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






32. 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.






33. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






34. To shift to another key.






35. The unit of musical rhythm.






36. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






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






38. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






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






40. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






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






42. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






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






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






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






46. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






47. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






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






49. A separate section of a larger composition.






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