Test your basic knowledge |

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. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






2. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






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






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






5. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






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






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






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






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






10. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






11. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






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






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






14. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






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






16. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






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






18. 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.






19. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






20. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






21. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






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






23. Repetition of a single tone.






24. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






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






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






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






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






29. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






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






31. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






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






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






34. Unmusical - without tone.






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






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






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






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






39. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






40. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






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






42. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






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






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






45. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






46. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






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






48. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






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






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