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






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






3. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






4. The first violin in an orchestra.






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






6. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






7. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






8. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






9. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






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






11. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






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






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






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






15. Group of singers in a chorus.






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






17. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






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






19. 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.






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






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






22. 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.






23. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






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






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






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






27. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






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






29. The first violin in an orchestra.






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






31. 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.






32. A repeated phrase.






33. A direction to play expressively.






34. A composition written for nine instruments.






35. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






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






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






38. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






39. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






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






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






42. Unmusical - without tone.






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






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






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






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






47. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






48. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






49. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






50. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.