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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. The movement of chords in succession.






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






3. Unmusical - without tone.






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






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






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






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






8. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






9. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






10. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






11. A repeated phrase.






12. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






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






14. 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.






15. A symbol indicating to play loud.






16. 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.






17. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






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






19. Pertains to tone or tones.






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






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






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






23. 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.






24. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






25. The principal note of a triad.






26. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






27. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






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






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






30. The principal note of a triad.






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






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






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






34. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






35. 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.






36. A short or brief sonata.






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






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






39. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






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






41. To shift to another key.






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






43. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






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






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






46. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






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






48. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






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






50. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.