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






2. 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.






3. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






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






5. Indicating speed.






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






7. 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.






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






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






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






11. The structure of a piece of music.






12. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






13. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






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






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






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






17. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






18. A group singing in unison.






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






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






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






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






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






30. To shift to another key.






31. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






32. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






33. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






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






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






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






37. A direction to play lively and fast.






38. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






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






40. 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.






41. 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.






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






43. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






44. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






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






46. The distance in pitch between two notes.






47. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






48. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






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






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